A child is not merely a burden

Children bring work, expenses, tiredness, and real sacrifices. But reducing them to a difficulty is seeing only part of the truth. They are also a treasure and a call to leave selfishness behind. The good life does not consist of avoiding all effort. Often the greatest love arrives precisely with responsibilities that do not fit into a comfortable life. A healthy relationship needs care. It requires fidelity, respect, patience, and truth spoken in the right way. When any of these is missing, perhaps outwardly everything looks the same, but inwardly trust begins to wear thin.