Daly Focus Blog
I’ve met a lot of couples who believe the formula for marital happiness is rooted in things like chemistry, fate, or a one-in-a-million shot that you’ll discover your soul mate.
Here’s one that’s mostly overlooked: choice.
That’s right. In the same way that personal happiness is a choice, so, too, is happiness in marriage. It may not always be an easy choice or an obvious choice, but it is something we can choose regardless of whatever obstacles may be working against us.
Men, we’re at war.
I don’t think most guys think of their role as a husband or father in those terms very often. That could be why so many guys succumb to the dangers of pornography and adulterous affairs. The enemy of our soul is ruthlessly plotting the destruction of us and our families … and a lot of us seem oblivious to it.
That’s why author and speaker Dr. Steve Farrar compares a man’s role in his home to point men in military conflict.
Sometimes I can’t help but smile when people tell me they’re just not sure how the Lord wants them to serve. “Lord, what do you want me to do with my life?” they’ll repeatedly pray.
I grin because, regardless of whatever unique and specific calling God may place on each of us, He’s already communicated many things that He expects from all of us. One is found in Scripture nearly 50 times: to care for the widow and the orphan (for example, James 1:27).
Author Arlene Pellicane describes the average mom’s frenzied day like this: “We wake up, and we’re Mary Poppins. ‘Let’s do this thing!’ we say. But by the time we go to bed, we’re Cruella de Vil.”
A lot of moms might describe themselves with words like “busy,” “stressed,” or “tired.”
One word you don’t often hear from moms is “happy.” Maybe that’s because, by and large, mothers have settled into the notion that busyness, work, and falling into bed exhausted are “just the way it is.”
Arlene’s discovery of what a happy mom is began with a personal encounter that illustrated to her what a happy mom isn’t.
Today is the National Day of Prayer, a wonderful and sacred time-honored American tradition. The effort is headed by the NDP Task Force, led by Focus board member emerita Shirley Dobson, who is celebrating her 25th anniversary in her role as NDP Chairman.
On this eve of this very special day, I would like to pose a few questions.
Why should believers take a day to focus on prayer? Why pray for our fellow citizens, our leaders and the needs and challenges facing America?
Go on a vacation with your family and one thing is almost certain: you’re going to create memories—and hopefully laughter—for years to come. I want to share one of those memories from my family with you.
Years ago when our two boys were smaller, we used to camp in a tent. There was something about sleeping in the cold, clear mountain air that we loved. During one trip, however, we got a little too close to nature.
Do you have big plans for the summer?
Maybe you’ve got visions of camping trips, sandy beaches, and long naps dancing through your mind. You’ve got a list of activities all mapped out with dates and locations carefully selected.
Other people prefer to keep summer loose and their schedules open. The fewer things set in stone, the better.
I think there’s a lot of value to both of those approaches.
That’s especially true if you have a house full of little ones and the idea of your kids being out of school for three months sends you into a near panic.
What do you think about your marriage?
I don’t mean in vague terms, like, “It’s good,” or “We’ve had better days.” I mean, literally. What are the actual thoughts you have about your marriage?
Do you think of your spouse as someone to nurture and care for – or as someone you have to endure? Do you think of conflict as a battle to win – or as an opportunity for God to draw the two of you closer together?
What should a woman look for in a husband? What should a man look for in a wife?
Marriage is one of the biggest decisions a person can make and, yet, a lot of men and women are unprepared to answer that basic question.
Physical attraction is probably the most common attribute people consider, and it’s not unimportant. But some people never rise beyond that initial connection point. They’re fueled primarily by emotion and sexual attraction.
One writer called grandparenting the greatest job on earth, handed to you wrapped in a blanket.
That description might have something to do with the grandparenting stereotypes we’re all familiar with. It’s all the fun with none of the responsibility. You get to spoil your grandchildren with questionable levels of fun and sugar, then send them home to their parents.
There may be some truth to that perception, but grandparents can do much more than just create fun memories.
Jim Daly is a husband, father and President of Focus on the Family and host of its National Radio Hall of Fame broadcast. His blog, Daly Focus, is full of timely commentary and wisdom designed to help you navigate and understand today’s culture. His latest book is Marriage Done Right.
