Robert & Bette Barto
Married: July 18, 1946
Chicago, Illinois
Robert and Bette are seldom apart and remain very active socially. They're also proud that for more than fifty years, they've spend every Christmas Eve with their sons.
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Families today are pulled apart in so many ways. Busyness keeps everyone on the run, with little time to share a meal or a meaningful conversation. Televisions, computers, video games, and CD players isolate family members within the home; and work, school, sports, and a myraid of entertainment options separate them without.
A husband and wife must intentionally make time to spend together as a couple, and time for everyone to interact as a family. This doesn't preclude the above activities; doing together is more rewarding than just being together! The secret is to resist the pull toward disconnection.
If one family member is involved in a sport, have everyone else attend the games regularly to shout encouragement. Hide the headphones of the CD player and turn on the speakers; take turns playing DJ, and have a dance contest! Host a video game tournament including everyone's favorite games, with a handicap system so anyone can win. If it's just the two of you, try finding a hobby, volunteer activity, or church ministry in which both of you can become involved.
Play about this. It may take some creativity and effort in today's individualistic culture, but with God's help you can keep your marriage and family intact. After all, His promise in Psalm 128 includes the blessing of togetherness.
Your wife will be like a fruitful vine within your house; Your sons will be like olive shoots around your table. Thus is the man blessed who fears the Lord.
PSALM 128:3-4
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