“I’ll never forget the day when I said to God, ‘I’ve done everything I know to do, and it’s not working.’”
You might expect to hear a comment like that from the average husband or wife trying to learn how to build a successful family. But would it surprise you to know that the person who said those words is now one of the most respected family experts in the world and has been married nearly 40 years?
I don’t know about you, but that encourages me. It reveals a truth we often forget – or never understand in the first place: Most of us don’t step into marriage fully prepared to build a family that will thrive for a lifetime.
It’s something that’s learned.
That means at some level we’re all an average husband or wife trying to learn how to build a successful family.
It also means that there is hope for husbands and wives and moms and dads who are struggling to find their way to a brighter future.
If you need someone to help light that path for you, you’ll want to join us for today’s and tomorrow’s radio programs. The family expert I’m referring to who had a lot of growing to do early on in his marriage is Dr. Gary Chapman, one of our favorite guests. He’ll be joining us once again to share practical wisdom to help you become the family you hope to be.
Start with this: If you’re feeling right now the way Dr. Chapman did early on – that things just aren’t working, and you don’t know what to do – don’t fret. Perfection isn’t the secret to a successful and happy family. There’s a lot to learn from failure. The Bible is filled with examples that God uses our failures to draw us closer to Him and to bring about His perfect will in us.
Even if you don’t expect perfection, I think it’s safe to say that all parents experience times of frustration over the course of raising children. There are moments when you feel like you’ve hit a brick wall, and you simply don’t know what to do.
It’s normal.
It’s natural.
But that’s the reason we’re doing these programs. Our goal is to get you moving in the right direction, to help you to make adjustments when necessary, and to enable you to stay the course when times get tough.
One of the things I love about Dr. Chapman is his transparency. The first few years of his marriage and young family weren’t easy. But with hard work and God’s help, he and his wife, Karolyn, were able to turn those negative patterns around. I’m sure many people listening will benefit from Dr. Chapman’s wisdom and experience.
The advice he shares isn’t dispensed in cold, sterile facts. He offers it with the empathy of one who’s been there.
In fact, when couples come to his office convinced that nothing can be done to save their family, he’ll say, “Why not rely on my hope for a while? I’ve been doing this a long time, and I have some ideas that you probably haven’t thought of.” Six months down the road things are almost always different in their lives.
I’d like to make the same offer to you. If trying to lead your family hasn’t gone the way you’d planned, let us be the hope and strength you don’t have right at this moment. Whatever you’re facing, I believe you can start making choices today to create a better tomorrow for your family.
Join us for the next couple of programs for some practical tools on how to move your family in a positive and godly direction.
As always, the broadcast can be heard on your local radio station, online, or via our free, downloadable mobile phone app.
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