Sylvia Martignani writes: Family Matters

Family Matters

There is a global battle against the nature of families. The media has convinced the general public that a family can be made up of several dynamics and can manifest itself in various forms. They claim that the Christian perspective of family and the definition is inherently prejudiced and extremely discriminatory. Young adults are convinced that marriage is “just a ceremony” with no lasting impact or commitment. More and more parents are “single” parents because one of the parties could not take responsibility. Some couple are having an inexplicably hard time conceiving, while others are callously and willingly aborting “unplanned” pregnancies. More and more homes are broken because of the flawed idealism of a misled society. On TV shows and movies as well as real life, celebrities and musicians are engaging in immoral and adulterous behaviours and they are forgiven and accepted repeatedly with no consequences. Our future generations are looking up to these individuals and dreaming to be as beautiful, as rich, as famous, as talented as some of these people.
Here is the saddest truth: each and every family unit remaining is finding it more and more difficult to persevere. There is a social attack on families and their distinct commitment to each other. There are so many subliminal messages that suggest that parents are not “good parents” unless they sign their children up to a million activities while they sit and watch. The time spent together just talking, laughing or playing games is infrequent and rare. Parents are working several jobs and juggling obligations, businesses, investments and their families just to make ends meet. Children are learning that the value placed on making money is worth much more than the value of spending time with the family. It is no wonder that the first thing a youth wants to do to demonstrate independence is leave home and find a new family among friends. Friendships are becoming deluded with infatuated importance. I heard my friend’s nephew tell his aunt, “My friends are my brothers- I would die for them!”
What?
The definition of a traditional family differs from one person to another; my definition is– an unconditional love expressed through the ties formed by being a husband, wife, father, mother, daughter, son, sister and brother. Here is my question: if siblings cannot divorce or leave each other, then how can that same bond between parent and child or husband and wife be severed?
We were never meant to live alone. Family is the anchor that keeps us grounded and gives our lives meaning. I cannot judge all marriages because some ended due to addiction, abuse or infidelity. For those survivors, I wish to tell you one thing: keep seeking happiness and love, God will place people in your path who love you and care for you so accept the help and comfort. You deserve joy. You deserve love.
To those of you who feel tempted to “cheat” on your family through spending overtime at work or out with colleagues for a drink while your children ask about you at home, please remember this one piece of advice: at the end of the day, at the end of the road and at the end of your journey here on earth; none of these people will be there for you. The only treasures we have in this world are our families. The ones we were born into, adopted into, married into, borne, reared and raised. Family is the truest realization of pure joy and contentment.
If you commit to your family, all wealth will follow. I promise you; because wealth is not measured by the amount of money you have but by how content you are with the amount of love and joy you readily receive from those who adore you. That is true wealth. The true definition of family.
Until next time,
SMartignani