“When mankind began to multiply on the earth and daughters were born to them, the sons of God saw that the daughters of mankind were beautiful, and they took any they chose as wives for themselves. And the Lord said, “My Spirit will not remain with mankind forever, because they are corrupt. Their days will be 120 years.”” (Genesis 6:1–3, CSB)
My Spirit will not remain with mankind forever, because they are corrupt. Parenting is a difficult, arduous, continuous task that often receives little in the form of reward and praise and a lot of expressions of disappointment and disgust – usually behind the backs of those parents whose children are less than orderly in public.
As a result of the discouragements, over time, parents often relax their strictness, which can be healthy and positive. However, when it is the reaction to a manipulative, selfish, tantrum-throwing child, all sorts of character and interpersonal issues develop.
Bringing spiritual truth to bear on the lifestyle of our children is what parenting is really all about. Raising them in the conscious presence of a God who not only loves them and wants to interact with them all day long, but also holds them to a higher standard is the genius behind all the “rules and regulations” many failing parents misunderstand. God is able to do what we can only hope for.
When the generations after Adam and Eve relinquished more and more of their responsibilities in child rearing not only did their children suffer, but so too did their marriages. Screaming kids can kill any romantic feelings a couple has for one another. Exhaustion from battle after battle with a self-possessed child all day can fray one’s nerves and cause unions to be strained … or worse.
Decades later, generations no longer resemble the intimate love and care for one another and marriage becomes a formality to some and a novelty to others. All the while God’s heart breaks as He calls His people back, often while being repeatedly ignored.
Wouldn’t you rather reinstate an intimate relationship with God in your family that always produces changes in our behavior for the good? Marriages thrive in such an environment, as do families!
Magnificent Marriage Mondays are helpful hints, clues, ideas, and solutions for the child of God who is looking for a spouse, in a relationship with someone, or are already married. Each post seeks to bring help, hope, and honesty to your life and make the rest of your life, the best of your life. They are written by Dr. Matthew Lee Smith, Executive Director of Eagles In Leadership, and come from his 38 years, 5 months and 2 days experience with his wife, Melodee, who was promoted to Heaven on November 11, 2017. He is currently seeking God’s will for his new life partner. He welcomes your comments below.
