Having a family is very fulfilling and satisfying, knowing that you share your life with people who care and love you. At the same time, it can demand and require a great deal of responsibility from you. In our culture, we no longer glorify parenthood; instead, we emphasize how hard and unsatisfying it can be, with endless chores to do, large amounts of money spent, and no time for yourself. It is no wonder that today’s individuals prefer to stay single or co-habitat rather than commit to a relationship that will culminate in marriage and a family. The reality painted of what family life does not appeal to our culture instead repels us to lean towards a life of self-indulgence and self-gratification. Just like the song “Never Enough” from The Greatest Showman,
All the shine of a thousand spotlights
All the stars we steal from the night sky.
Will never be enough.
Never be enough
This ego-center lifestyle will eventually satisfy the heart and soul for a brief moment and cannot sustain and leave a lasting sense of fulfillment and satisfaction. Our original plan of happiness gets clouded by our selfish desires and often leads us down a road that keeps telling us that “it’s never enough” or “I’m too far down this path” there’s no use turning back. Our capacity to love others becomes smaller because we have filled it up with loving and caring for ourselves. When we exist not just for ourselves but also for others’ betterment, we become content and filled with gratitude and start making room for others.
“Humility is not thinking less of yourself; it’s thinking yourself less.”
-C.S. Lewis
Our eyes will open to others’ needs when we start thinking of ourselves less and welcome marriage and family life. The strong desire to share life’s struggles and joys with another person and take responsibility for raising kids as parents become part of our purpose in life. Having God at the center of this purpose in life unifies and strengthens the family even further. Remembering the song “Never Enough” from The Greatest Showman, we can do everything to indulge ourselves and make ourselves happy but true happiness lies in making someone else happy, which will last a lifetime because you made a difference in their life.
God’s C.P.R.
(count blessings, pinpoint trials, review the day)
But when you are invited, take the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he will say to you, ‘Friend, move up to a better place.’ Then you will be honored in the presence of all the other guests.
Luke 14:10