Divorce is so prevalent in our society, and yet so destructive.

The family unit is the strength of this county. The more divided it becomes the more vulnerable the country becomes.

The destruction of the family unit is considered one of the top ten reasons for the fall of the Roman Empire. Abraham Lincoln said, “A country divided against itself cannot stand.”

As a Christian I believe that divorce is necessary in the case of abuse and/or long term adultery, but otherwise the marriage is repairable.

The person you fell in love with you can fall in love with again.

We say “kids are resilient.”

This is not a reason to cause them pain that sometimes takes a lifetime of repair work.

Most of the children in our schools that have failing grades, break the law, are violent, use alcohol, drugs, etc., are from broken homes.

Did anyone take them into consideration when they walked away from the marriage?

And I love the phrase we are just a “different kind of family,” so that we don't have to see their lives as broken and in need of attention, or so we don't have to feel the guilt.

What we need to accept and work through is the guilt, it's much healthier.

And parents have to remember; money does not heal the pain for the children, it only spoils them and makes them selfish.

The pattern of abuse and/or cheating has to stop so that you can be an example for your children. End the cycle with you.

Marriage is something both people work at.

We need to observe the long term marriages around us and realize working at marriage has long term rewards. Don't make your lives into a sad sick “Desperate Housewife” episode.

Sharon A. Skiff

Cato