A NEVER-ENDING JOURNEY
Una Jornada Que Nunca Termina
By Mary Hunt Webb
Posted Sunday, November 13, 2011
A family begins with two people that are committed to each other.
A young husband that has been married less than five years was all smiles when he greeted us recently.
Unable to contain the news, he announced, "We are pregnant!"
Small feet cause families to take giant steps forward.
I smiled at his declaration. Usually a couple is said to be expecting because, physically, only a woman can be pregnant. However, his choice of words showed his commitment to his wife and to the child that is on the way. His involvement means that his wife won't feel alone in the development of the new life within her. He has already shown that he is tenderhearted toward her and their child.
His feeling and commitment remind me of Ephesians 4:32, which advises, "And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you." (New King James Version)
What does it mean to be "tenderhearted"? The word means to be aware of the feelings and needs of another person or of other people. It involves looking outside oneself and beyond one's own desires and requirements. A tenderhearted person is sensitive to the condition of others.
A tenderhearted person is sensitive to the needs of others.
Such awareness develops as part of maturity. Sadly, some people never develop past the self-centered focus of childhood. While they may be physically mature, they remain immature emotionally and spiritually. Accordingly, it is possible for a young adult to be tenderhearted and mature while a gray-haired, older person may be self-centered and immature.
Underdevelopment shows up in unhealthy habits such as smoking, alcoholism, and drug abuse. These types of habits indicate a focus on oneself as well as a lack of concern for others. The maintenance of a healthy body demonstrates maturity and responsibility. These last two qualities are indicators of dependable parents that are committed to each other and to their children.
Maturity and responsibility indicate dependable parents that are committed to each other and to their children.
Consequently, the tenderheartedness of our friend revealed his readiness for parenthood when he announced that he and his wife are pregnant. After all, a family begins with two people that are committed to each other. That family is even stronger when the husband and wife are also committed to the Lord.
Ephesians 4:32 "And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you." (New King James Version)
Efesios 4:32 "Antes sed benignos unos con otros, misericordiosos, perdonándoos unos a otros, como Dios también os perdonó a vosotros en Cristo." (Reina-Valera 1960)
Parenting is a never-ending journey.
