I Don’t Belong to Myself
I was thinking about how being married with kids limits your freedom and increases your responsibility. It’s clear to me that Paul the Apostle’s encouragement to not marry was to keep you nimble and single-minded. If it were just me, I could deprive—even abuse myself, but I must provide and protect my family. And not only that, but I have to look after myself for the sake of my family. I’m no good to them burnt out, weakened, or dead.
I realize I didn’t develop this thought very well. I just needed to get this exhortation down for me before I forgot. Part of my value is measured by how physically, spiritually, and emotionally able I am to care for my family. The damage I do to myself (actively or through inaction) does damage to my family.
nichole says:
March 31st, 2008 at 9:39 pm
its funny…because it feels like the longer im single (and i know…it hasn’t been that long) the more selfish i become.
im beginning to see how beautiful marriage can be. thank you for being a part of that for me.
jose says:
April 4th, 2008 at 12:13 pm
At least you realize your selfishness. When I got married I thought I was pretty unselfish. That wasn’t a pleasant wake up call.
smlwoman says:
April 6th, 2008 at 1:10 pm
I think about this a lot now that I am trying to adopt. My life won’t be my own anymore, but it never really was, was it?