husband-wife relationship)2, for
the next twenty-five years or
so the parents will lead parallel
lives, separated under the same
roof in terms of communication
and overall focus of attention.
Dad works, which is where he
receives most of his emotional
needs met, and secondarily has
his need for communication met
through his son or daughter. At
the same time, mom functions in
the primary role of mother, only
secondarily as wife, and meets
some of her communicative
needs through one of the children. Eventually, if the marriage
survives the loneliness, they may
attempt to reestablish their relationship, but generally find this
to be extremely difficult. They
do not even know each other. If
they are unable to reestablish a
relationship (usually this bridging of the relationship occurs
during the mid-life transition of
the man), they may divorce, or
begin to vicariously live out their
life through their grandchildren.
And the beat goes on!
This is not God’s plan. God’s
plan is naked and unashamed.
That is, a relationship based
upon mutual knowledge and
trust in one anothe