Home
Prayer
Christmas
Discerning the Will of God
Relationships and Family
Finding Meaning in Work
Health and Wellness
Nurturing the Creative Spirit
Spiritual Direction
Profiles in Faith
Book Reviews
Links

Contact Us
Submit an Article

The Reward for Sacrifice

By Dionna Sanchez

We hear it all the time. Parents need time for themselves. "Remember to take care of yourself, too!" I even encourage moms to do that very thing. To find time to relax, pamper themselves and regroup a little so they aren't so burned out and stressed when they need to be calm, gentle and understanding with their children. But that thought can go too far.

I have seen something that disturbs me a great deal. I see some parents taking such good care of themselves and their own social life that not only do their children suffer; but their whole family unit is fractured because of selfishness. Yep. I said it. Selfishness.

You see - there is a fine line between carving out some quiet time for yourself once in awhile or finding time to share laughter with friends - to - going out with your friends constantly or being involved in so many activities that your children are left to fend for themselves most of the time. We are the parents. We made a vow when we had children to raise them, love them and take care of them. How can you do that adequately if you are always involved in your own social activities? Even if your children are in attendance at those activities, they are not being given your full attention, your full warmth and love.

Families come first. Quiet time, social circles, fun activities, jobs - they all come in second. Don't "live it up" so much that your children become strangers to you. If that happens you might find yourself facing situations or circumstances in their lives that you didn't see coming.

Being a parent means sacrificing our own desires at times. You can't do everything you want to all the time. The reward for that sacrifice is well-adjusted and well-loved children. Children who are stable, secure, and ready to give back to the world a little of what they have learned. The reward is in appreciating the rare times you DO get to socialize and fellowship with others. It doesn't have to be abandoned all together. Just prioritized.

Take a hard look at your life and your social calendar today. What does it say about your priorities? And where do your children fit into that list?

~ Dionna Sanchez tries to keep her priorities straight as a mom, wife and individual. You can find her Emphasis On Moms Ministry at http://www.emphasisonmoms.com/