Make A Difference

There are days when I pinch myself and say, “Am I really a part of this?!”

I think I’ve said before that I feel so honored to be a part of the ministry of Family Talk and to get to work with Dr. Dobson. Especially after my children left home, it has been an amazing blessing to have a job that is fulfilling and allows me to make a difference.

This week, I’m in Orlando, Florida, with Dr. and Mrs. Dobson. I feel like I’m watching history in the making. You may know that Dr. Dobson is updating his original film series that was taped in San Antonio in 1978. When Ryan, his son, moved into the parenting stage, he saw one of the films and found it to be relevant and helpful. And it was really good!!! So Ryan asked his dad where he and his friends could get a copy of the series. Well, those films were, of course, unavailable. That’s when Ryan encouraged his father to update the series so that the next generation of spouses and parents could benefit from the practical material in those films.

Thus began “Building a Family Legacy.” Most of the sessions were filmed at a church in San Diego last summer. While here in Florida, other pieces of the project are coming together. It’s been a remarkable time – inspiring messages and powerful re-enactments . . . I truly believe this new series will speak to families and help them provide godly homes and solid spiritual training – just like the first series did for over 80 million people in the late 70s and early 80s.

Check out the photos of some of the work that’s been done this week.

Your prayers for this project are much appreciated. Dr. Dobson and Family Talk continue to labor on behalf of the family, righteousness in the culture and the defense of life.

I’d love to hear from you about the open doors God has allowed you to walk through and how you’re making a difference in others’ lives as you’re “on mission” for Him.

Another Day, Another Faith Opportunity

My husband and I were attending a financial seminar the other evening (trying to learn how to prepare for our “golden years”), when I looked at my cell phone and found that I had missed a call from our daughter. You see, this is unusual because this daughter is living in Indonesia, teaching school at an international Christian school. We often schedule phone calls or Skype because there is a 13-hour time difference. So to receive a call at that time from her sent off an alarm to me. My cell phone doesn’t have international calling, so I couldn’t call her back.

A few moments later, I received a call from one of my sons. I thought, “Uh-oh! Something’s wrong.” I tried to catch his call but didn’t make it out of the meeting room in time. I immediately returned his call and found out that he had spoken with our daughter. Kristin was in excruciating pain and very sick. When she described her symptoms to Austin, he thought it sounded like she might be passing a kidney stone. (Believe it or not, he had passed his first kidney stone about three weeks earlier!) He gave her good advice and told her to head to the hospital to get some relief.

My heart sank to hear that she was hurting and that I couldn’t be there to help. I couldn’t even talk with her to offer comforting words. Then the panic set in. Will she be able to communicate with the medical personnel who probably don’t speak English? What about the cleanliness of the hospital? Is anybody with her to help? How will she get to the hospital? I don’t like that she is so very far away and I can’t do anything!!!!!

Bill and I stopped everything and sat in the car praying for God’s protection over Kristin and wisdom and compassion for anyone who would be caring for her. We asked Him to give her peace and relief from the horrible pain. We cried and we acknowledged that God loves and cares about her even more than we do and that she is in His hands. We called other family members and friends and petitioned their prayers on Kristin’s behalf. It was what we could do.

Have you ever felt helpless and inadequate to be the parent you want to be? How do you step beyond the need to intervene or feel that it’s up to you to “fix it” for your children?

God showed me (again) that night that I must “Cast all my cares upon Him, for He cares for me.” And I know without a doubt that He cares for my children, too. The lessons of faith continue, even when my kids don’t live under my roof. I’m thankful God is near during the learning process.

By the way, Kristin passed the stone and is recuperating well. Thank You, Lord!

Slammed

During the last several weeks, I joined/rejoined the club of the “slammed.” By that, I mean that I’ve been feeling overwhelmed, weary, inadequate and completely undone. There is much to be done at work, and I can’t seem to keep up. Then, I feel as though I’m not being the wife and mom I should be, and my friendships are being neglected – basically, it’s a snowball effect. Have you ever encountered this?

When I feel this way, my health suffers, too. I try to push through, but the result is irritability and misspoken words. Doesn’t Romans 7 have something to say about not doing the things I want to do and doing the things I don’t want?

Here I am at the end of another work week, and I’ve not made it through my list . . . I ask, “Lord, what do you expect of me? How can I ever do it all? Are you disappointed in me?”

In Micah 6:8, we are told, “He has showed you, Oh man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” My initial reaction to that verse is, (sarcastically), “Oh, is that all?” I really do desire to act justly, and many times I let walking humbly with God be overrun by my “accomplishment” of doing the right thing. Such arrogance! I don’t believe that is what God has in mind.

We read Ephesians 4 today in our staff devotions. One person very wisely said that the action steps of that chapter are often best digested as a step-by-step Christian growth process. The part about building others up according to their needs is in contrast to my shortness with people and my critical attitude. Coming to terms with that truth leads me to offer this prayer to my Heavenly Father.

I confess to you, Lord (and to you who are reading this blog entry), that I have not exhibited the heart and mind of Christ. This day, I thank You, Father, for Your forgiveness and patience with me. I will, with Your help, choose to share words that are edifying and not wounding. Help me, Lord, to show love and care and to seek Your face. Please give me the strength to do what I can with the tasks I have before me and the peace to leave the results in Your hands. I ask You, Father, to help bridle my tongue, to love mercy and to walk humbly with You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Readers, thank you for allowing me to be transparent with you all. Perhaps God will use my struggle to minister to you.