Focus on the Family Magazine - April/May 2022
It can be a struggle to raise a family while balancing your work life, social life and relationships. Focus on the Family magazine is here to help! Each complimentary issue delivers fresh, practical Biblical guidance on family and life topics. Every issue comes packed with relevant advice to build up your kids, strengthen your marriage, navigate entertainment and culture, and handle common challenges you may face in your marriage and parenting journeys. Plus you'll find seasonal advice ranging from back-to-school activities to date night tips for you and your spouse.
It can be a struggle to raise a family while balancing your work life, social life and relationships. Focus on the Family magazine is here to help! Each complimentary issue delivers fresh, practical Biblical guidance on family and life topics.
Every issue comes packed with relevant advice to build up your kids, strengthen your marriage, navigate entertainment and culture, and handle common challenges you may face in your marriage and parenting journeys. Plus you'll find seasonal advice ranging from back-to-school activities to date night tips for you and your spouse.
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COMMUNICATION / FAITH & INSPIRATION<br />
Respect<br />
I do my best to treat every pers<strong>on</strong> I<br />
talk to with dignity, remembering that<br />
he or she is made in God’s image. As<br />
<strong>the</strong> apostle Paul said, “Let your reas<strong>on</strong>ableness<br />
be known to every<strong>on</strong>e”<br />
(Philippians 4:5).<br />
Showing o<strong>the</strong>rs respect allows people<br />
to be vulnerable without feeling<br />
judged. And if anything shuts down a<br />
c<strong>on</strong>versati<strong>on</strong>, it’s when some<strong>on</strong>e feels<br />
c<strong>on</strong>demned or judged.<br />
Lisa and I c<strong>on</strong>sider inviting neighbors<br />
into our home to be an act of<br />
“scrappy hospitality.” Recently, my wife<br />
hosted a ga<strong>the</strong>ring at our house. One<br />
of <strong>the</strong> neighbors c<strong>on</strong>fessed how she<br />
was drunk <strong>the</strong> previous night and was<br />
still experiencing a hangover. Her kids<br />
were playing with ours in <strong>the</strong> driveway<br />
while she was talking about her<br />
half-remembered evening. Lisa asked<br />
her if she was doing OK and if we could<br />
help with anything.<br />
“No,” she said, and <strong>the</strong>n admitted,<br />
“my grandparents and parents are in<br />
<strong>the</strong> hospital with COVID. I think I’m<br />
having trouble processing that.” This<br />
was no time to c<strong>on</strong>demn her behavior.<br />
Our friend needed gentle support that<br />
made her feel respected and heard.<br />
Investment<br />
Lisa and I are c<strong>on</strong>vinced that <strong>the</strong>re is<br />
something sacred about our driveway<br />
because some of <strong>the</strong> most important<br />
people sit <strong>the</strong>re. When our children are<br />
playing with neighborhood kids, we<br />
invite o<strong>the</strong>r parents over. This is where<br />
we keep c<strong>on</strong>versati<strong>on</strong>s going. We check<br />
<strong>on</strong> <strong>the</strong> status of <strong>the</strong>ir job, upcoming<br />
weddings or anything else that’s<br />
pressing to <strong>the</strong>m. The playing children<br />
are a welcome distracti<strong>on</strong>. Watching<br />
<strong>the</strong>m <strong>on</strong> scooters brings levity to some<br />
of <strong>the</strong> most important topics.<br />
Short, quick interacti<strong>on</strong>s do not<br />
build trust. L<strong>on</strong>g, intenti<strong>on</strong>al c<strong>on</strong>versati<strong>on</strong>s<br />
do. And some of <strong>the</strong> best ways<br />
to initiate relati<strong>on</strong>ships are as simple<br />
as walking around <strong>the</strong> neighborhood<br />
or sitting in <strong>the</strong> bleachers during soccer<br />
practice. If we put our ph<strong>on</strong>es away<br />
and give people more than a hand<br />
wave, our relati<strong>on</strong>ships are better able<br />
to withstand disagreements.<br />
Vulnerability<br />
After I pulled into <strong>the</strong> garage from a<br />
four-day work trip, <strong>on</strong>e of <strong>the</strong> neighbor’s<br />
kids opened <strong>the</strong> door from<br />
inside my house to greet me before<br />
my own children did. >>><br />
APRIL / MAY <strong>2022</strong> FOCUS ON THE FAMILY 23
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