The Greatest Gift For Your Children
"The greatest gift any parents can give to their children is the gift of their own relationship" I have repeatedly stated that truth over the years. I have never been more convinced about it than I am today. Please understand that this is not to deny or diminish the vital role of those who are single parents. But I am becoming increasingly and passionately angry about those supposed "gurus" and minority groups whose philosophies unashamedly and blatantly attack family life and values.
But there are other enemies more dangerous & insidious that can subtly undermine family life. I'm particularly thinking of those activities that seem to express commitment to family life but, in fact, only confuse priorities and create a dangerous imbalance. For example, I get really concerned when I see a husband whose highest priority is his work and a mother whose highest priority is her children.
So, what's wrong with those priorities? I am convinced that the highest priority relationship in any family is that shared by husband and wife. It is the key to all other relationships - especially between parents and children. Children find great security, stability and strength when they observe their parents commitment to each other. When the husband-wife relationship breaks down, so do all the other relational dynamics in that family.
I want to make an appeal that the needs of children do not assume a higher priority than the needs of parents. Parents, please don't become so focused on your children that your own relationship suffers. Keep it in balance. The day will come when your children will leave home and it could be that you will look at each other and feel that you are virtual strangers. The "empty nest" syndrome then kicks in and you realise that you have not adequately prepared yourselves for the rest of your life together.
Your own relationship is not only the greatest gift you can give to your children. It may just prove to be the greatest gift you can give each other.