Daly Focus Blog
I have the privilege of being Dad to two boys. Men now, actually. They successfully made it through their teen years, but Jean and I were on our knees for them the whole way. We got a few things right as parents. Maybe the most important was praying for our sons.
Prayer is the “language” that connects us to values that transcend physical boundaries. Even atheists absentmindedly slip into utterances of prayer during moments of crisis.
When was the last time you were afraid?
According to world famous rock climber Alex Honnold, you need to experience something actually worthy of fear. He says if you don’t challenge yourself to face real danger and real fear from time to time, your mind will create it out of nothing.
Alex understands genuine fear. He’s a free solo rock climber, one of the most dangerous sports in the world. When he climbed El Capitan in Yosemite National Park, he did so without ropes or other protective equipment.
Personal growth doesn’t only benefit us, it ripples outward into all of our relationships, especially our marriage.
Drs. Les and Leslie Parrott got a unique window into that perspective while on vacation in Italy. One day, they went to visit Michelangelo’s famous statue of King David. So did thousands of other people. To escape the crowds, the Parrotts explored a nearby wing of the building called the “Hall of the Prisoners.” It featured unfinished statues that Michelangelo considered emblematic of mankind’s struggle to feel integrated with God, with ourselves, and with the people around us.
Happy Memorial Day!
On Focus on the Family with Jim Daly, we’re airing a recorded message by US Army Colonel Allen West, a retired military officer who received honors for valor, including a bronze star. He also served as a US Congressman and now works as a conservative media commentator.
Colonel West shares how to teach your children and grandchildren what it means to be an American. Instead of backyard barbecues, pool parties, or picnics in the park, take them to a National Cemetery or a celebration honoring the military.
What “season” of intimacy is it for your marriage? Is it summer because things between you and your spouse are sizzling? Or has winter settled in where your relationship feels a bit chilly?
Weather is a helpful metaphor for marriage because, like the weather, relationships change. Yes, that means a season of warmth and excitement can become cold and mundane. But it also means a relationship that feels icy and distant can become a season of new beginnings and growth.
Mom and dad, what are you doing to help your children develop maturity? It’s a question worth answering because children don’t develop maturity on their own. They have to be taught.
To that end, my wife and I enrolled our boys, Trent and Troy, in something called Cotillion. It’s all about teaching manners and preparing kids to interact with others as mature young men and women. The boys were apprehensive, but I assured them, “Don’t worry, guys.
One of the most popular questions we get here at Focus on the Family is, “How do I pass my values on to my children?”
First and foremost is you, mom and dad. Your presence is the most important influence in your kids’ lives. They’re watching you. Everything you say and do makes a profound impression on what your children say and do. Model the values you hope your children will adopt as their own. If you want them to be loving, then be loving.
Technology continues to make incredible, often unimaginable, strides. Much of it is well-intended. Communication technology and social media have transformed life, connecting us with people anywhere in the world. And, yet, according to the U.S. Surgeon General, loneliness is an epidemic. Half of all adults feel significantly isolated.
How can the most connected generation in history suffer from isolation? Because God has wired us for face to face, heart to heart connection that nothing digital can replicate.
As the saying goes, “Laughter is good for the soul.” It’s good for your soul as a parent as well.
Studies show that families who laugh are healthier, happier and more connected to each other. Even little giggles between you and your family play a meaningful part in creating bonds that you’ll share forever.
Laughter is a powerful connector. In fact, at its heart, laughter is mostly about connection, only partially about humor. We laugh more when we’re with other people than when we’re alone.
Over the years, loving my wife has most often expressed itself in small ways. Like when our boys were young and full of energy. Some nights I’d come home after a long, busy day at work, and Jean would meet me at the door with Trent and Troy – 5 and 3 years old at the time – and say, “Take them.”
Jean and I were both desperate for a recharge after a long day, but in that moment, there was only room for one of us to take a breather.
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.
