Being a Better Husband and a Better Father Through Humility

Share

Humility can help you become a better husband and a better father - It is also the cure for much of the contention in marriage and family life. 

What is Humility?
One of the dictionary definitions I like the best defines humility as "not proud or arrogant."  Humility then, is the opposite of pride. It is recognizing that others lives, opinions, and feelings are just as important as our own.  Humility is often spoken of in a religious context - accepting God's will in our lives, acknowledging that he knows whats best for us, and submitting ourselves to his commandments.  So what does it mean in our family?

Humility as a Husband
Humility allows you to be a better husband by you viewing your wife on the same level as you, by understanding that you are equal partners in the relationship and in the family.  It also helps you be able to admit wrong-doing, apologize, and even just admit when you have made a mistake.

Can you imagine how little contention there would be in marriage, if we didn't always have to be right, if we didn't care if we had things our way, if we were always quick to apologize, or if we always put our wife's need above out own? This kind of perfect humility is impossible to obtain, but we need to try for it, because to be a better husband, you must be humble.

Humility as a Father
For those of you that are fathers, you know how humbling it is to be able to take part in a process that creates life. Its a miracle and humbling to know that you have been given this power with your wife. I think when you have young children it can be harder to be humble toward them, some even openly exercise dominion over them. It is so important that your children know you respect and value them.  Young children often view their parents as infallible, but they need to know that even you make mistakes.  Also, if we are humble and teachable, our children will teach us!

Humility is key to your family's happiness, but pride is one of the hardest challenges to overcome (for me at least).  Try to be a better husband and a better father by being humble, I know you will see a difference!