A Loaded Question!
Jay and I have made it a practice and priority to watch a TV show with our kids. One show a night or week, they choose. With Torrey it was Survivor. We still watch that to this day even though Torrey is now almost 21! With Grace it depends on the night of the week!
One of the reasons we started this practice with our kids was due to the conversations that were sparked out of our watching together. The other evening, Grace, Jay and I had watched a show and now it was time for bed- for Grace. As she began to head upstairs, she sighed very deeply and flounced herself down in front of us and asked this question, ” How do you know it is love that will last?”
I looked at Jay, he looked at me…both waiting for the other to answer! Finally, Jay said,” Grace when you love someone because of what they “do for you”, that is just infatuation. BUT when you find the person that you want “to do for them” for a lifetime, now that is love.” Smartly Grace replied, ” Oh so when it is all about you then it is infatuation, but when it is all about them, that is love that lasts. Okay Goodnight!”
What a profound and easy way to put it! When it is all about you folks it is just infatuation but when it is all about the other person, it is love that will last a lifetime!
What can you do for your spouse today? Let us know how you make your relationship all about the other person.
Can’t wait to hear!
Laura
Kids Killing your Marriage?
Maybe “killing” is too strong a word…but….nonetheless…Kids in your house add joy and stress to any marriage.
When the kids are young, the details of taking care of a new baby can overwhelm the joy of parenthood. The diapers, the feedings, the sleep deprivation….etc. Most women find themselves having this thought at some point, “Sex? He has got to be kidding!”
As these lovely bundles of joy grow older, the challenges change. Now we add behaviorial issues, extra-curricular activities, homework,etc. Parents find themselves too tired to enjoy each other.
Fast forward a few years, and now they are teenagers. These young adults keep hours that we, as husband & wife, can no longer keep! We find ourselves hiding away in our bedrooms to grab a few moments alone.
Reality is this: as husband and wife we MUST keep “the main thing, the main thing”! More and more couples are identifying themselves as friends rather than lovers. This is a growing trend, and a scary one! Couples need to set boundaries, be creative, and keep the main thing the main thing.
Set boundaries with your children, young or old. One of my biggest pet peeves is couples who allow there school aged children to stay up so late that as a married couple they have no time together. Jay and I have always made our kids go to be at a time that allows us at least an hour together.
Be creative in your time together. Take time for lunch together. Make a date night and get a babysitter. Your kids can do without you for one evening a week!
Keep the main thing the main thing. Loving your spouse, and making your marital relationship the most important human relationship in your life, is the BEST thing you can do for your kids! Your kids will grow up to be healthy, happy, and productive adults if you and your spouse make your marriage a priority above all else.
What do you do to keep “The main thing the main thing?” in your marriage.
