A number of years ago, I was leading a seminar for about eighty high school students on family relationships. To get things started, we played a simple icebreaker called “Would You Rather?”
I gave them two choices, and had them run to one side of the room or the other depending on their answer. For example, I asked “Would you rather be the funniest person in your class or the smartest person in your class?” Those who chose “funniest” ran to one side of the room, while those who chose “smartest” ran to the other.
After several rounds, I changed things up.
I said, “I want you to think about something you’ve always wanted or dreamed about. Maybe it’s getting the car you’ve always wanted. Maybe it’s winning America’s Got Talent. Maybe it’s getting into your dream college. Whatever it is, picture yourself getting it.
Then I said, “If you could have that dream come true, run to the right side of the room. But if you could know that your parents were truly in love with each other, run to the left side.”
To my amazement, every single student ran to the left side of the room.
That moment has stayed with me ever since. Knowing that their parents loved each other was of great importance, even to the kids whose parents were no longer together.
That experience became part of what fueled my passion for helping couples strengthen their marriages. In 2003 we created the Marriage Booster Retreat. Since then, thousands of couples have joined us on this one day getaway focused on deepening the love and commitment in their relationship. Join us at our next retreat on October 24th at the DoubleTree by Hilton in Bloomington, MN. Register Online
Life gets busy. Children, work, activities, responsibilities, and sheer exhaustion can gradually push a marriage to the margins. But caring for your marriage is not only an investment in the two of you. It can also be one of the greatest gifts you give your children.
Pete Larson – Executive Director, Family Fest Ministries
About the Author: familyfest
