We talk about how important marriage and family is, but where are we directing our emotional energy each day?
By Dave Boehi
He was a well-respected executive in his community. He had climbed the ladder of success and was reaping the rewards.
Except in his family.
He arrived home from work one day and shocked his wife by telling her he wanted a divorce so he could marry another woman. This couple had two sons in grade school, and the mother worried how they would react to the news. But when she told them that their father was leaving them, she was surprised by her oldest boy’s reply: “Mom, he’s been gone for years.”
I think that’s one of the saddest quotes I’ve ever heard. It echoes through countless homes in America today, where a husband or wife, a dad or mom, may be physically present but emotionally absent. We talk about how important marriage and family is, but where are we directing our emotional energy each day?
“Mom, he’s been gone for years …”
I’ve been thinking about this lately because I’ve entered a season in my career where I have more to do than I can ever remember—more writing, more editing, more projects, more planning, more managing, more responsibility. I love all these opportunities that God has given me, but I’m also realizing how much of my emotional energy is used up during the work hours.
When I leave my home in the morning and begin driving to work, my mind shifts into a different mode of operation—like an idle computer that is suddenly activated. Throughout the day my mind is racing as I move from one task to another. I’m meeting with people … doing research … planning future articles for the FamilyLife website … trying to put words together for a column like this. I often need exercise at lunch time just to keep my mind clear.
And when I return home each evening, what do I want? On most days I’ve used up so much emotional energy that all I care about is shutting down that computer in my mind. I want to lie on the couch and read magazines or books. I want to watch “24” or “Law & Order” on television, or relax with one of my favorite old movies on DVD. Let’s see…should I escape to the Old West and enjoy Jimmy Stewart and John Wayne squaring off with Lee Marvin in “The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance” or should I watch Gene Kelly in “Singin’ in the Rain”?
There’s only one tiny problem with this scenario: Life doesn’t revolve around me. I have a wife and children. Philippians 2:3 calls me to put their needs above my own. When I use up too much emotional energy at work, and waste too much time with entertainment, other priorities are neglected.
My wife, Merry, would probably say I’m being too hard on myself. I’m confident my family wouldn’t say “He’s been gone for years” when they describe me. But in my heart I know how easy it is for me to detach emotionally for a few hours or even a few days.
I wish I was writing with wisdom gained from years of doing it right. But I’m still in the battle, and I have a feeling many of you are as well. Here are a couple of things I need to do:
- Spend more time alone with God, talking with Him and reading His Word. I find when I am consistent in spending time with God, I have more emotional energy throughout the day.
- Be more proactive in spending quality time with Merry. I need to talk with her more, and I need to get out and have fun with her more.
I’ll let you know how it goes.
This article originally appeared in Marriage Memo, a weekly e-newsletter. To subscribe free to Marriage Memo and other FamilyLife e-newsletters, click here. For the Marriage Memo archives, click here.
