6 a.m. Conversations

Let’s be real: The idea of “work-life balance” sounds good on paper…until life happens.

Then it turns into: Work → Life → Kids → Errands → Obligations → Random Stuff → Oh yeah… love.

Some days you give your job the best of you, the kids the rest of you, and your spouse whatever’s left over after that. Which is usually a half-smile and a grunt.

Trying to be a functioning adult AND a loving partner at the same time?
That’s advanced-level living. They don’t tell you that in relationship counseling.

You ever had one of those days where work drained your soul, the drive home tested your salvation and by the time you walk through the door, your emotional tank is reading EMPTY?

And then your spouse says, “How was your day?”

And you respond with the international sign for “Don’t ask me nothing”:
sighs deeply and sits down slowly.

Meanwhile, the kids are jumping on furniture like WWE tryouts, dishes are staring at you with attitude, bills are tap dancing on the counter, and the dog looking guilty for reasons unknown.

This is the part of love nobody puts on TikTok.

Work-life-love balance? More like work-life-love juggling…blindfolded…while riding a unicycle.

I remember a time me and a homie were going through that season where work was taking 97% of our energy. He told me:

“Bro, I came home yesterday, sat on the couch and fell asleep before I could even take my shoes off. My wife covered me with a blanket and just shook her head.”

I told him, “Man, she didn’t shake her head because you slept…she shook it because you was snoring like grizzly adams.”

We laughed but then he said something real:

“I realized I was giving work my best and giving her my leftovers.”

Whew. That one hit in the chest.

Because the truth is: Home is your first ministry. Your spouse shouldn’t have to survive on emotional crumbs because work ate the whole loaf.

But here’s the challenge: How do you stay present at home when work drains everything? You learn to be intentional, even when you’re tired.

Not perfect. Not overly romantic. Just intentional.

Sometimes that looks like:

• putting your phone down when they’re talking
• sitting beside them even if you’re not talking
• asking how their day was and actually listening
• doing one small thing to lighten their load
• hugging them without rushing
• choosing closeness even when your energy is low

It’s not the size of the effort, it’s the heart behind it.

Because here’s what love learns: It’s not about balancing everything perfectly, it’s about showing up where it matters.

Some days, you’ll come home drained. Some days, they will.
Some days both of you are running on fumes. But if you keep choosing each other, even in the exhaustion…you’re doing better than you think.

Love isn’t about perfect balance. It’s about intentional presence.

Think about this, are you saving any of your best energy for home or letting the world get the part of you your partner longs for most?

Loving by HIS Word:“Better is a little with righteousness than great gain with turmoil.” Proverbs 16:8Peace at home is worth more than success anywhere else. God honors the couples who choose connection over chaos.

6 a.m. Quote— “Don’t give your job the best of you and your spouse the rest of you.”

Marlon Dean–6 a.m. Conversations “Where love meets faith, one morning at a time”