A Selfless Marriage Trains Your Children

They're Watching Us... Learning

One of the greatest benefits of selflessness in a marriage is the example it gives to others. When those others are living in the house with you, share your last name, and look like the both of you (aka your children) the impression is far greater than we can imagine.

Here’s a fact. Children will grow up, and if they marry, they will choose someone exactly like their father (boys) or mother (girls). I have seen this trend almost without exception. Even in the case where the father was absent. I blame traits passed on from mother to daughter in that case. If mom picked badly, daughter will learn that from mom.

If we want our kids to have a great marriage, we’ve got to model it for them. Dads… want your daughter to choose a great guy? Be a great man! What your son to learn how to treat his wife? Model that behavior by treating his mother with respect (and demanding he do the same).

Seems like a lot of work. Not really. If we can focus on being selfless, sacrificial spouses, as the Bible says, “All these things will be added unto you.” Being a great natural example is a side-effect of a great marriage.

Men, when we love our wives properly, we’re teaching our sons how to do it and our daughters what to demand. Wives, when you love your husband properly you’re teaching your sons that inner goodness is rewarded, not an outward image and your daughters that a lasting love is the only thing worth giving herself to.

Comments? Feedback? Is anyone even reading this crizzle? Leave a comment for the love!

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James Kennison
James KennisonHello, I'm the man behind the NLCast Podcast Network and producer of shows like Nobody's Listening, Geek Loves Nerd, Children's Ministry Monthly and GOK: The Gospel of Kennison.
I also do low cost artwork over at DrawYouAPicture.com. If you have a business, ministry, blog or podcast I can create a great logo or cover art for a very affordable price. Contact me today via email at james@nlcast.com.

Discussion (3)¬

  1. Erin says:

    I can’t agree that I am exactly like my mother-in-law or my husband is exactly like my dad but the similarities are there. I totally agree that how we treat each other in this marriage is setting our childrens’ bar for their choosing a spouse in the future. Keep up the awesome work!

  2. A Selfless Marriage Trains Your Children | Geek Loves Nerd http://tinyurl.com/m8vo5c

  3. Cindy says:

    I’m not married, but in a serious relationship heading that way and I have found there are quite a few similarities between my boyfriend and my dad. There are also a lot of differences though. But I think in general the similarities are things that are very important so it makes sense.

    By the way, I’m really enjoying your every day posts!

Comment¬

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Geek Loves Nerd and All Artwork & Articles Copyright 2006-2009 James Kennison. Podcasts are released under a Creative Commons License.