Here\u2019s something I hear all the time: \u201cMy kids are the most important thing in my life.\u201d<\/strong><\/em> I hear people say it. I read it online. People write that statement when they\u2019re answering 8 random things about themselves on Facebook (or whatever that is). On the surface, it seems like the right thing to say, \u201cMy kids are the most important<\/strong> thing in my life.\u201d<\/p>\n I mean, it\u2019s a lot better than saying \u201cMoney is the most important thing\u201d or \u201cMy job is the most important thing\u201d or \u201cFootball is the most important thing.\u201d Kids seem like a much more noble endeavor.<\/p>\n Some people actually mean it. Some people actually live like it. That\u2019s where they get into trouble. I\u2019ve seen some people put their kids ahead of their marriage. They quit pursuing their spouse romantically and emotionally, pouring all their love and affirmation into their kids. They\u2019ll sacrifice their marriage for their kids, which ends up being a detriment to their kids. The greatest gift you can give your kids is a strong and healthy marriage. Marriage needs to be a higher priority than your kids.<\/p>\n On top of it all needs to be your relationship with God. God is the one who will give you the strength you need to be the best spouse and parent you can be. Without his help, you\u2019ll struggle under your own power. Do you want to be the parent you want to be? Prioritize your relationship with God over your kids, and let your kids benefit from the overflow of what God is doing in your life.<\/p>\n So, here\u2019s the order I would advocate: God first, your spouse second, your kids third. (Your job, hobbies, Facebook and all that nonsense comes much farther down the line).<\/p>\n Do you want the best for your children? Don\u2019t make them your first priority.<\/p>\n<\/body><\/html>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Here\u2019s something I hear all the time: \u201cMy kids are the most important thing in my life.\u201d I hear people say it. I read it online. People write that statement when they\u2019re answering 8 random things about themselves on Facebook (or whatever that is). On the surface, it seems like the right thing to say, […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2490,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[489,491,529,577,881,1048,1129],"class_list":["post-1347","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized","tag-family","tag-family-matters","tag-food-for-thought","tag-god","tag-marriage","tag-parenting","tag-priority"],"yoast_head":"\n