Family Roles

Speak, my children, I listen.

I’m concerned for a family in our church. They are a married couple with two young children, a boy and a girl. They’re not conforming to traditional family roles. The mother of these young children is the family breadwinner; she goes out to work every day, while her husband stays at home raising the children! Beyond that, she makes the majority of household decisions, both financial and familial! Her husband is fine with this arrangement, claiming he is simply pleased to have a wife with such a good head on her shoulders. What happened to the husband being the head of the household? What kind of ideas about men and women will these innocent children grow up with?

To think that this is your greatest concern is troubling to me. My child, in your community, are there no children without parents? None who suffer from hunger, or who lack for love? I say unto you, these children are blessed. They are well provided for, fed and clothed, and loved. I am saddened to see a world where so many of my children never know their fathers, and these children are so fortunate to have a father deeply involved in their rearing. In your prayers, you tell me that this young husband is pleased and happy, that this young wife is fulfilled and providing for her family. These children will grow up with the idea that women are strong and capable, that men are loving and good. So many of my children say the love of a father is seen in his providing for his family. Can this not be the love of a mother? So many of my children say the strength of a mother is in the hard work of raising her children. Can this not be the strength of a father?

Lastly, I say unto you, why do you look at the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' and behold, the log is in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye. Do you not remember my words, ‘let he who is without sin cast the first stone?’ Put down you stone, instead I tell you, cast love upon your fellow man.