Jim Daly

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.

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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.

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A good marriage is like good music.

To understand what I mean, think about your favorite song. No doubt one reason it moves you the way it does is the voice of the lead singer. But more than you realize, the backing vocals are what bring a song’s melody alive. Background singers harmonize with the lead vocals, giving the song’s melody a richness the lead singer could never achieve alone.

In a similar way, couples who make beautiful music together are those who surround themselves with background singers – like family members, close friends, or a marriage counselor – someone who encourages them forward when the marriage journey gets difficult.

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When you hear about teenage boys in the news, it’s usually because they’re in trouble. Boys who act out get all the headlines. Which is too bad because a far greater number of teenage boys exhibit good character. They make their moms and dads proud. They don’t take from their communities; they serve them.

How do we raise boys into men with that kind of character? Mentoring. Mentoring is when an older man comes alongside a younger man and guides him through the challenges of life with wisdom and grace.

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How do kids grow up with a healthy sense of their own worth? There are a lot of ways for them to learn, from team sports and a good youth group to artistic ability and academic achievements. The best way of all is the influence of a loving mom and dad in everyday moments of life.

A colleague once told me about the time he took his young daughter with him while he ran an errand to the store.

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On Focus on the Family with Jim Daly, we’re commemorating the beginning of the Olympics in Paris by featuring a recorded message by Kim Hamilton Anthony, a world-class gymnast who overcame a rough start in life.

Kim’s mother grew up in a four-room house with 13 of her relatives. There were a lot of mouths to feed and a lot of bills to pay. She became pregnant as a teenager. Confused and scared, she was told that a self-induced abortion was the only solution.

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Mom and dad, you may not think of your household as a business, but it’s true. You are the CEO of a mini empire. It’s your job to provide structure and order – like paying bills and doing laundry – but it’s also your responsibility to create a home where your spouse and children can thrive – spiritually, emotionally, and relationally. How do you do that? The same way you run a traditional business. You put your customers first.

Continue ReadingTopics: Family and Home Tags: faith, family