Children are Guests?

My wife Brenda found an interesting devotional by Henri Nouwen. He makes the assertion that true hospitality can only happen in the house of a couple that loves and supports each other. He says, “When we enter a home and feel warmly welcomed, we will soon realize that the love among those who live in that home is what makes that welcome possible.” Guests will always be uncomfortable in a house where the husband and wife are sniping at each other.

He goes on to say that children are guests in their parent’s home. Children come and will inevitably (almost) go. They will feel comfortable in their parent’s home as long as they realize the parents love each other and the parent’s relationship with each other has a higher priority than the parent’s relationship with their children.

The children know that their home will stand the test of time and is one in which they can feel safe. We’ve all heard the quotes from psychologists that say that children will do well if they know their parents love and are committed to each other. Nouwen says it another way. I like Nouwen’s perspective and believe it is true.