Kids and Marriage

Some of you may have seen these come on an e-mail forward but they are so funny you have to read them. A challenge follows...

The Funny Things Kids Say: Kids Talk About Marriage
How do you decide who to marry?
(1) You got to find somebody who likes the same stuff. Like, if you like sports, she should like it that you like sports, and she should keep the chips and dip coming. - Alan, age 10
(2) No person really decides before they grow up who they're going to marry. God decides it all way before, and you get to find out later who you're stuck with. - Kirsten, age 10
What is the right age to be married?
(1) Twenty-three is the best age because you know the person FOREVER by then. - Camille, age 10
(2) No age is good to get married at. You got to be a fool to get married. - Freddie, age 6 (very wise for his age)
How can a stranger tell if two people are married?
(1) You might have to guess, based on whether they seem to be yelling at the same kids. - Derrick, age 8
When is it okay to kiss someone?
(1) When they're rich. - Pam, age 7
(2) The law says you have to be eighteen, so I wouldn't want to mess with that. - Curt, age 7
(3) The rule goes like this: If you kiss someone, then you should marry them and have kids with them. It's the right thing to do. - Howard, age 8

So after I read these and had a good chuckle, I started to think about how our kids see our marriages. Do your kids see you and your spouse hugging and kissing, holding hands and exchanging loving glances? Or do they only see and hear the strife that comes with everyday life? Do they see you working as a team or as two separate figures that they can play against? Randy and I have always tried to show our kids how a marriage partnership works and I'm sure we had our failures along the way but I was determined to be a chain breaker. By that I mean, I came from a family of divorce and all the time I was growing up, I would watch how disfunction in my home effected every person and every minute of "family" life. I did not want that for my future family! I challenge you parents to take a look at the marriage picture you present in front of your kids. Let them see how dads should be the priests of the home. How he should love his wife as Christ loved the church. Let them see moms who submit to their husbands, not in an abusive way, but in the way the Word shows us. Let our children learn that they do not run the house or set the tone, but we as parents are in charge and are working for their benefit. Let our kids see we are not perfect but in everything we work together and with love. Divorce in "Christian" homes is just as high as in any home. Let us be chain breakers! Kids learn by example and will unfortunately repeat our mistakes so keep in mind they will also repeat our successes!