Daly Focus Blog
One of the most inspiring parenting stories I’ve heard is about father and son, Dick and Rick Hoyt. Rick, the son, was born with cerebral palsy in 1962. Doctors said Rick would bring nothing but pain and suggested that he be institutionalized. Instead, his parents, Dick and Judy, devoted their lives to their son for nearly 60 years.
In fact, Dick was so determined to build a relationship with Rick that he ran marathons with him.
Ron and Opal Erickson call themselves “musicianaires.” Ron is an accomplished steel guitarist, and Opal is an accomplished vocalist. They’ve made beautiful music together for over 40 years, not only as musicians but as a couple.
But they only achieved that because they’ve rebuilt their marriage out of the rubble of a relationship that seemed irreparably broken. Through God’s grace and wisdom, they survived adultery, rejection, and betrayal and created a new marriage forged in trust, love, and grace.
Are you “organizationally challenged”?
Keeping a house tidy and organized is a challenge for a lot of us, especially those of us who have young children. It’s like brushing your teeth while eating Oreos. When children are older, they can participate in house cleaning and common tasks like laundry and dishes, but what’s the best way to get them involved?
With me on Focus on the Family with Jim Daly is Kristi Clover. She’s a home organization expert and a mom of five kids ranging from preschool to young adults.
Could you use a simple tip to improve your marriage?
How about 100 simple tips?
Matt and Lisa Jacobson, my guests on Focus on the Family with Jim Daly, actually have them for you.
After 25 years of marriage, Matt and Lisa looked at each other one day and decided, “Let’s each write down one hundred things that we’ve done to create a loving marriage.” When they compared notes, they realized that each day is the culmination of little decisions that stack up over time.
The most effective parents are visionaries.
Let me tell you about Tom. As a young boy, he developed a hearing problem. It caused him a lot of trouble at school. Tom’s mind constantly wandered, making him disruptive in class, which frustrated his teachers. They considered him “stupid, restless, and a slow learner who asked too many questions.” All in all, his public education was a complete failure.
If that were your son, I’m sure you’d be concerned.
Thanks to the Internet and social media, we’re more connected to each other than ever. At least, we like to think we are. The fact of the matter is quite different.
Just a few years ago, only ten percent of Americans said they were lonely. According to recent research, that number has nearly doubled. The very technology we thought would draw us closer together is making us feel more isolated instead.
Our need for human connection is wired into our DNA.
What holds you back from achieving more than you do? Money? Time? How about excuses?
If anybody had a reason to make excuses, it was Paul Richard Alexander. As a child, polio paralyzed him and severely damaged his respiratory system. From age six until he died at 78, Paul was confined to a machine called an iron lung – a medical contraption that enabled him to breathe.
The machine kept Paul alive. but it also imprisoned him.
If you’re unfamiliar with Christianity, or your passion for your faith has cooled, you’ll want to join us for Focus on the Family with Jim Daly.
We’re sharing a recorded message by author and British evangelist J.John. With plenty of humor, he explains why he is certain that the teachings of Christianity are absolutely true. He also reminds us why only Christ can fill our lives with real hope in the midst of the problems of this world.
Every couple experiences transitions in marriage. Believe it or not, most of them are predictable – in some cases unavoidable. You’re no doubt familiar with the “baby makes three” phase and the “empty-nest years.” Between those two are other transitions that will significantly impact your time, energy, and relationship with each other. For a healthy marriage, it’s important to handle these transitions in ways that strengthen your marriage instead of causing rifts.
According to relationship experts Bill and Pam Farrel, women tend to reevaluate their lives between their late 20’s and late 30’s.
I loved every stage of raising my two boys, Trent and Troy. I enjoyed them as babies. I enjoyed their energy as little boys. I enjoyed watching them grow up and become young, godly men. My greatest honor and privilege in life has been to be their dad. I’m sure you feel the same way about your children.
Nevertheless, I’m sure you’d also agree that some seasons of parenting can be challenging. Raising kids well is inconvenient.
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.
