Devotionals by Dr. James Dobson
Hold on Tight
Those who have been given a trust must prove faithful.
1 Corinthians 4:2
A mother at a church where I (JCD) was a guest speaker told me tearfully that her husband had recently divorced her, devastating her two sons. “They miss their daddy every day,” she said. “They don’t understand why he doesn’t come to see them. The older boy, especially, wants a father so badly that he reaches for every man who comes into our lives.”
The next morning I spoke again at their church. The same mother and her boys greeted me after the service, and I shook the older boy’s hand. Then something happened that I was not fully aware of at the time—the boy did not let go of my hand! He gripped it tightly, preventing me from welcoming others around us. To my regret, I unconsciously grasped his arm with my other hand and pulled myself free. Only later did I remember and realize how desperately this lad needed a man in his life.
Dad, your sons and daughters will often reach for your hand in the years ahead. When they do, I urge you to hold on tight! This is doubly true if you are divorced or separated. Now more than ever, your children need assurance of a love that “always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres”…and “never fails” (1 Corinthians 13:7–8).
Before you say good night…
- In what ways do your kids “reach” for you?
- What are the biggest challenges of being a single dad?
- What is toughest about being the child of a single dad?
- What specific things can you do to reassure your kids that you’ll always be there for them?
Dear God, no matter what our family circumstances, let us never waver from our charge as parents! Please forgive us for so often failing our children and You. Help us to be worthy ofYour trust in us to lead and love our kids. Amen.
Listen to today's broadcast of Dr. James Dobson's Family Talk at OnePlace.com. For more from Dr. Dobson, visit the resource center at drjamesdobson.org.
This devotional is taken from Night Light for Parents. Copyright © 2000 by James Dobson, Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission.
About Family Talk
Family Talk is a Christian non-profit organization located in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Founded in 2010 by Dr. James Dobson, the ministry promotes and teaches biblical principles that support marriage, family, and child-development. Since its inception, Family Talk has served millions of families with broadcasts, monthly newsletters, feature articles, videos, blogs, books and other resources available on demand via its website, mobile apps, and social media platforms.
The Dr. James Dobson Family Institute (JDFI) is a Christian non-profit ministry located in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Founded initially as Family Talk in 2010 by Dr. James Dobson, the organization promotes and teaches biblical principles that support marriage, family, and child development. Since its inception, Family Talk has served families with broadcasts, monthly newsletters, feature articles, videos, blogs, books, and other resources available on demand via their website, mobile apps, and social media platforms. In 2017, the ministry rebranded under JDFI to expand its four core ministry divisions consisting of the Family Talk radio broadcast, the Dobson Policy and Education Centers, and the Dobson Digital Library.
Dr. Dobson's flagship broadcast called, “Dr. James Dobson’s Family Talk," is aired on more than 1,500 terrestrial radio outlets and numerous digital channels that reach millions each month.
About Dr. James Dobson
Dr. James Dobson is the Founder Chairman of the James Dobson Family Institute, a nonprofit organization that produces his radio program, “Dr. James Dobson's Family Talk.” He has an earned Ph.D. from the University of Southern California and holds 18 honorary doctoral degrees. He is the author of more than 70 books dedicated to the preservation of the family including, The New Dare to Discipline, Love for a Lifetime, Life on the Edge, Love Must Be Tough, The New Strong-Willed Child, When God Doesn't Make Sense, Bringing Up Boys, Bringing Up Girls, and, most recently, Your Legacy: The Greatest Gift. Dr. Dobson served as an associate clinical professor of pediatrics at the University of Southern California School of Medicine for 14 years and on the attending staff of Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles for 17 years in the divisions of Child Development and Medical Genetics. He has advised five U.S. presidents and served on eight national commissions. Dr. Dobson has been married to Shirley for 64 years, and they have two grown children, Danae and Ryan, and two grandchildren.
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