Making Marriage a Priority (Part 1 of 3)
December 13, 2009
A Proposal
“What are the 3 top priorities
in your life?”
My husband, Patrick, asked this question to an audience of couples we spoke to at a local church. To avoid making anyone feel “on the spot” in front of their spouse, he asked them to just think of their priorities in their minds. We wanted them to ponder this question as we began our talk about marriage and the “What are the 3 top priorities in your life?” My husband, Patrick, asked this question to an audience of couples we spoke to at a local church. To avoid making anyone feel “on the spot” in front of their spouse, he asked them to just think of their priorities in their minds. We wanted them to ponder this question as we began our talk about marriage and the importance of making it a top priority.
We know that priorities are a very personal thing and each family has to determine what theirs will be. But we also believe that three general priorities form the foundation for strong, happy, and faithful families. With that conviction in mind, we told the couples that we would like to “propose” they adopt the following three priorities in this order:
- God and your relationship of love with Him
- Spouse and your relationship of love with him or her
- Children and your relationship of love with them (if you have children)
Yes, you read correctly. God first. Your husband or wife next… and then your children!
Perhaps you are asking yourself one of the following questions:
“Why this order?”
“How can God be first when my family is my primary responsibility?”
“How can my spouse be in front of my children when my children have so many needs and depend on me for so many things each day?”
I hear you! Putting God above family and spouse can seem like a big request. I’m with you – it is a tall order. But when we order our lives and all that we do around these three priorities, it leads to happiness, joy, and solid family life.
Next time I will tell you more about why I propose you adopt these three priorities in this particular order. But, for now, I will leave you with the question I with which I began this article:
What are the 3 top priorities in your life?
Maureen is a graduate of the Institute for Psychological Sciences in Arlington, VA and is a licensed Professional Counselor. Maureen and her husband Patrick have three young sons and are parishioners at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Raleigh. Together they speak at churches around the Diocese on topics of marriage enrichment and Natural Family Planning.