Many today don’t understand the meaning of commitment to one another. Men and women alike, walk through marriage as though it is a revolving door. If one partner doesn’t work out, they’ll try another. Lack of commitment and a false definition of self-love is rooted in this game we call marriage. Few people in our society know its true meaning. We are taught early that we are to “love ourselves“, becoming the object of our own affections, while ignoring the thoughts and feelings of those closest to us. Our culture breeds selfish behavior, with few realizing the destructive forces awaiting those who embrace it. We are considered high-minded with an exalted attitude of self-importance by many around the world, who have witnessed first-hand our self-centered tactics and heady games which are played out in the media for the whole world to see. We are looked upon with disdain and disbelief at our unadulterated and haughty view of ourselves.
True love is sacrificial and devoted to the well-being and happiness of another. When marriage vows are exchanged between two people, the vows usually include commitment “through good and bad times, for better or for worse”. People often forget their promises of faithfulness when the first sign of trouble begins. At that point, all bets are off and we look out for number one, ME!!!
The enemy of our soul takes advantage of our weaknesses, using our own selfishness to break down our families, threatening to annihilate its very existence. Families make up the very foundation of any healthy society, and without its stability a nation will eventually be lost. Our families are slowly eroding, while men and women chase their elusive soul mates, sacrificing their children on the altar of self-love. The most important cornerstone of our society, the family, is tossed aside by those who believe we are entitled to our own happiness. Even more disturbing is how the family has become the enemy within, leaving casualties in the wake of constant fighting and bickering for preeminence between parents. What are we going to do as a nation when the family no longer exists? Sadly, our nation as we know it will cease to be.
The casualties of our broken relationships are our precious children. Parents embattled with one another seldom stop to think about the effect their relationship is having on their little ones. Children are the most vulnerable and the least considered in the whole dynamic of marriage, and are left with emotional scars and wounds that don’t just heal. As they grow and develop relationships of their own, the scars and wounds from the past become evident, along with patterns of self-destructive behavior they learned at home. We wonder why suicide rates are so high among the youth today, along with rampant drug abuse and our youth lashing out through hate and anger. Parents we must look at ourselves, because our children look to us for guidance. If we as parents fail in our relationships, our children stand more of a chance of failing in theirs. Our families should be a haven from the outside world, “a place of safety; a place that offers favorable opportunities and conditions” to show love and acceptance to one another.
Parents we must stop to consider the effects our actions are having on our children. More importantly, we must be willing to lay aside our own selfish wants and desires, for our families to be healthy and happy. When we refuse to confront our selfish attitudes and self-destructive behavior, our children are doomed to repeat our mistakes. The answers we seek are the same today as they always have been. Dedication, love and commitment no matter the cost.
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