Daly Focus Blog
Jack Canfield, the co-author of the Chicken Soup for the Soul series, says comparing yourself to other people is a “fast track to unhappiness.” Comparison distorts our vision. One moment, we see all that we have – the next, we see all that we wish we had.
When our focus is directed outward, we think everybody else has more money, better homes, and nicer cars. We think they’re smarter, more talented, and better looking – or they have happier marriages and better-adjusted children.
Respect, humility and courage – foundational to a happy, healthy society – have been diminished in our culture.
My wife and I aimed to instill those values in our boys, Trent and Troy, by enrolling them in Cotillion, an etiquette class that prepares children to interact with each other with manners as mature young men and women.
The boys were apprehensive, but I assured them, “Don’t worry, guys. They’ll mostly teach you table manners.” Boy, was I wrong.
Let me ask you three questions.
First, if God said to you, “I will answer every single prayer that you pray this week,” how many people in your life would you pray to receive Jesus?
Second question: Are you praying for them now?
Christians often grow weary of praying for someone – or give up entirely – because nothing seems to be happening.
Which leads me to my third question: What if, as we pray for others, God does something in us?
My childhood was tough. My mom died when I was nine years old. My stepdad walked out on my siblings and me the day of her funeral. After that, I spent almost two years in foster care. When I think back on those days now, I have to search through the darkness to find bright spots.
One of them was when I was 11 years old. My dad and I shared an afternoon I’ll never forget.
When Jean and I were dating, I made a big mistake. I served her tea.
That may not sound like such a big deal to you, but I was wooing this girl. I wanted to marry her. On this particular occasion, however, everything nearly fell apart. I went all out. I packed a full picnic lunch, complete with a basket full of food, a blanket to sit on, and iced tea. I thought everything was perfect.
And it would have been, except she doesn’t like iced tea.
Each year, about six million women in the United States become pregnant. Of those pregnancies, nearly half – 45 percent – are unplanned.
Most of the time, teenagers are the focus of such conversation, but many married adult women with children are surprised by unexpected pregnancies as well. They watch their youngest child enter elementary school, or their oldest graduate from high school, then discover they’re pregnant and starting over at stage one. They feel shocked, exhausted, and embarrassed.
When my boys learned how to drive, I don’t mind saying I was nervous about it. I knew they’d do fine, but my wife, Jean and I talked through our expectations before we ever handed over a set of keys. From one parent to another, here are a few things that might make sense to you, too.
Teens usually think their driver’s license is all the permission they need to hit the road. But driving ought to be a privilege they earn instead of an absolute right.
What do you want out of life? A good career? A good marriage? Kids with good character? Whatever you’re after, success won’t come easy. You gotta stick with it until you get where you want to go.
If your dreams seem out of reach, don’t be dismayed. You’re in good company. Colonel Sanders, the man who started the KFC restaurant chain, was rejected by over 1,000 investors before he got a single yes. KFC now operates almost 20,000 stores around the world.
Modern Christians are, let’s say, comfortable. We like our comfort zones, our religious routines and our focus on “doing right.”
But what if God is calling us to something more meaningful and challenging, like living a life of service, sacrifice, and forgiveness in a way that transforms the world?
Jesus was a radical. We don’t often think of Him that way. Modern society portrays Him as respectable and polite. But Jesus not only touched lepers, but He also drove corrupted merchants out of the temple with a whip made of cords.
Here at Focus on the Family, we hear from parents who wonder how to guide their children through cultural messages about race and ethnicity that are often divisive and dehumanizing.
Author Trillia Newbell has a balanced, informed, and grace-filled approach. Despite the racism she’s experienced, she has learned to move through life with forgiveness, compassion, and understanding. But she also believes parents should prioritize teaching their kids proper views about race, saying, “Either we teach our children, or the culture will.”
Trillia is joining me on Focus on the Family with Jim Daly to help Christian parents teach their children a biblical perspective about racial unity.
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.
