Leave and Cleave
Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh. Genesis 2:24
On June 17th, my husband and I will celebrate 27 years of marriage. It seems like yesterday we were saying our “I do’s” to each other on that beautiful spring day. And in a couple of weeks, our daughter will be walking down the aisle to begin the next chapter of her life as Mrs. Olsen.
This is the way life is supposed to go. It is a blessing to watch our children find the person we have prayed for since they were babies. Our children are not our own but have been given to us by God for a short time. Yes, our kids will always have our hearts, but the relationship is different now and that’s okay.
Parents have an important role in helping their children leave and cleave as this verse says. Unfortunately, my husband and I have counseled too many couples whose parents have not cut the apron strings. They instead lay guilt trips on their kids for not spending enough time with them.
One of the best gifts parents can give their married children is space to develop and establish their own little family. Give them the freedom without guilt to make the best decisions for themselves. Refrain from giving unsolicited advice, however difficult it may be. In doing so, you will help them to leave and cleave as God has designed it to be.
Dear Lord, thank you for the blessing of marriage and the miracle of two becoming one flesh. Amen.