As I walk into my home at the end of my day at work, I look forward to the laughter I know I’ll hear.  My wife is an amazing woman.  One of her gifts is laughter. 

She can be on the phone and laughing, laughing with one of our children, she can even be laughing because an amusing thought flashed through her mind.  I’m almost afraid to walk into the house because I know that I’ll be an interruption.  My wife is a friend because she steps into the lives of every person she meets. My mother and grandmother were the same. Their homes were a mixture of laughter and the aroma of freshly baked breads and coffeecakes. I tend to be an outside observer wondering how I can help, heal, serve. I evaluate, judge, anticipate. My wife is pure and simply a friend. She makes others feel important.

Queen Victoria once shared her impressions of her two most famous prime ministers. Of William Gladstone, she said, “When I am with him, I feel I am with one of the most important leaders in the world.” On the other hand, she noted that when she was with Disraeli, he made her feel, “as if I am the most important leader in the world.”

Roger Ailes was a political consultant to US President George Bush Sr. His advice to clients was: “Lighten up! It’s ironic, but your career can depend on whether you get serious about taking yourself less serious.”  Statistics say that for seven out of 10 executives who lose their jobs, the cause isn’t a lack of skill – its personality conflicts. Management newsletter Bottom Line / Personal stated, “As an executive reaches middle management and beyond, the primary criteria for advancement are communication and motivational skills, rather that job performance. The bottom line: Top management promotes people it likes.”

What kind of friendship am I modeling for my children? Do I want my children to be successful? We and our children come with all different kinds of personalities – some more conducive to fostering friendship. All of us though can learn to step into others lives and to make them feel important. Jesus took three full years to step into the lives of 12 men and select women who then were accused of “turning the world upside down.” Let’s practice friendship this week. What impact can we make on our world?

None of us are perfect as individuals – nor are our marriages perfect.  As we work together to maintain our love and a strong marriage, our homes will be a good environment for growing and happy children.