Do you struggle wondering if you measure up as a parent?
Perhaps you see other families from the outside, and it’s like watching a highlight reel. Their children don’t squabble, the parents never have a disagreement, and life seems perfect.
But is it really?
Every family has its challenges.
Just ask Franklin Graham, the son of Billy and Ruth Graham.
If the Lord would bless any family with model children, it would be the Grahams, right?
Well, back in his teen years, Franklin was a handful. On good days, he was obstinate and openly defiant to his parents. On today’s and tomorrow’s broadcast, Franklin joins us to share how, just like you and me, his parents had to rely on the Lord to get their kids through some rough spots.
Take, for instance, the string of mornings his mother, Ruth, had to come into his room and demand that he get out of bed for school. Franklin complied for a few days, but before long he simply ignored her. But Ruth was no pushover. Instead, she grabbed his ashtray, overflowing with cigarettes and ashes, and dumped the whole thing onto his head. That got him up, alright. But after that he started locking her out of his room.
The next morning when Ruth started pounding on his door, Franklin rolled over with a satisfied grin. But a few minutes later, he heard a scraping noise outside his window.
To find out how the story ends, I invite you to tune in to today’s and tomorrow’s broadcast, “A Visit with Franklin Graham.” (Listen to your local radio station, online or via our free, downloadable mobile phone app.) I think you’ll be encouraged to learn that all moms and dads need a good dose of “stick-to-itiveness” to get through our parenting challenges.
In the meantime, if you’re new to Focus on the Family, you may not be aware that we partner with Franklin’s organization, Samaritan’s Purse, to distribute Christmas shoeboxes (filled with simple gifts, like soap, a toothbrush and paste, a small toy or a notebook and markers) to needy children around the world. This year, Focus will donate a musical plush lamb to be included in Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes for a gift of any amount during the month of October.
I hope you’ll consider offering your support. The rewards are eternal!
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