Daly Focus Blog
When you think of a family tree, you think of strong branches that represent generations of your family reaching to the sky.
But what do you do when those branches are broken by the storms of life? How do you become a good husband or wife, or a good father or mother, when your past has been marked by abandonment, divorce, or the death of a loved one?
My family didn’t have a family tree. We had a “family bush.” My mother died when I was nine years old.
As the broadcast team and I continue to make our way across the country this week (we’re in Tampa tonight!) as part of the Focus on the Family Live! tour, I followed with interest the National Adoption Month celebration taking place yesterday in Washington, D.C.
My colleague and friend Dr. Sharen Ford was in the audience for Vice President Pence’s eloquent and moving address in which he extolled the gift of adoption while highlighting the critical needs of too many children currently in our state’s foster care systems.
Is it too early to start thinking about Christmas?
It’s not if you hope to have a smooth December and enjoy a stress-free Christmas season. That can be tough to do if you’re not organized.
Christmas is supposed to be a time of joy. A time for us to reflect on our Savior who came as a baby in a manger and soon took upon Himself the sins of the world.
Instead, we get caught up in all the “stuff” of Christmas: the lights, the decorations, the shopping.
Have you had “The Talk” with your child? You know, the one about sex?
If so, how did it go?
If not, why not? Maybe you feel nervous because you don’t know what to say.
I don’t blame you. The talk I had with one of my boys didn’t go as well as I’d hoped. I’d planned a weekend long father/son getaway. We had a good time, and I did my best to explain everything in a way he’d understand.
Amy Rienow says she and her husband Rob got married … then dated for 10 years.
It was just a few months from first their first date to their wedding, which meant the years that followed were filled with surprises. They both loved the Lord, but they were clueless about the purpose of marriage and family.
Their crisis moment came 10 years into their marriage. Rob was a dedicated youth pastor. His number one passion was passing his faith to other people’s children.
We don’t like to think about getting older. We especially don’t like to think about death.
Maybe that’s why studies show only a third of us prepare for the inevitable with advanced directives. It’s also why a growing number of people are finding themselves ill-equipped for the rigors and responsibilities of caring for an aging loved one.
Taking on the care of an aging parent or family member is a big job that rarely comes about at a convenient time for the caregiver.
I still remember when a small airplane crashed across the street from where I lived when I was 14 years old. I heard the crash, then called 911 and ran to the plane. I was able to help two 20-somethings get out of the burning wreckage.
At first, I thought the young men were the only two in the plane. I soon realized two other men had been in the front – the young men’s fathers.
Author Shauna Pilgreen says, “A life of comfort is a win for the enemy. When you’re comfortable, you’re usually leaning on your own strength, which means you’re leaning less on God’s strength.”
Shauna and her husband have learned to rely on God in uncomfortable circumstances, and they’re actively passing that faith on to their children.
It started in earnest when God led the Pilgreens from their cozy suburban life in Missouri to plant a church in San Francisco, where their lives are anything but comfortable.
It’s
easy for us as Christians to lose track of God’s timing in our lives. Our
culture is driven, and we often fall prey to busyness. We work hard at our
jobs. We volunteer at church. We have hobbies and responsibilities around the
house. Some days there’s not much left of our time or our energy to keep our relationships
in order.
That
was true for Terry Looper. His goal was to become a wealthy businessman.
“We
practiced an active shooter drill today.”
Those
words from Lee Nienhuis’ grade-school aged son, Ryan, felt like a gut punch.
She could barely hold herself together when he told her, “We pile up in the
corner like puppies, and we hide.”
That
wasn’t the only time Lee was confronted by the darkness her children face in this
world. Another incident happened in church. The congregation was singing the
hymn I Have Decided to Follow Jesus.
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.
