Family’s not in
the Way
They are
the Way
You don’t have to move your family across an ocean to experience many of the same issues the Smallbone family did in Unsung Hero.
Helping families navigate through life’s challenges is at the heart of what Focus on the Family does. Though the Smallbone family didn’t have our incredible resources available to help them through, you do!
Swipe through the following movie scenes and see what Focus on the Family would have shared with them in that moment. We hope it helps you too.
Stay
Close
Managing your family through big changes is stressful. Whether we are facing a new life in a new country, job loss, or disappointments, we can face them together when we stay close. Stay close to one another. Stay close to God’s Word. We don’t have to wait for calamity to strike; we can teach our children to have resilience through the stories God has given us in the Bible.
They had
Adventure
Beds!
Adventures can come in unusual ways. Sometimes, just seeing something a little differently turns a hardship into an adventure. An empty room without furniture is the perfect place to build adventure beds. As they grow up in a world of increasing technology, social pressures, and uncertainties, it’s even more important to teach them to see from a different perspective. It teaches them to turn adversity into an adventure.
I am not going to
Be Another
person who breaks
a promise
To You
Supporting your spouse’s goals is good for your marriage. The Smallbone family experiences many discouraging setbacks after moving to the United States. While others might doubt her husband, Helen stands by David and says to him, “I am not going to be another person who breaks a promise to you.” Supporting your spouse’s goals is good for your marriage.
We need to
Be honest
with you
Unity, and bringing family into difficult times, is a key ingredient for building a strong family. When the Smallbone family made their promise to the children that they would be honest with them, although it felt hard, it made their family stronger. It’s important to always create security for your children, even in the most difficult times. When sharing the problem with your kids is not an option, here are a few ideas that will help you still be honest, and create security.
I wouldn’t
mind a job
too
As parents, we want to give everything we can to our children. It’s hard to imagine not being able to provide for your family. You may not have the need or opportunity to work together for a common purpose the way the Smallbone family did. But you can do the next best thing—adopt a family purpose that speaks to a need or value that is unique to your family.
How do you spell
Cheap?
We have
to Burn
the ships
Good parents want to give their children good gifts: a happy childhood free from pain and disappointment. And yet, God uses our disappointments to give us and our children so much more than money can buy. By learning to rely on each other and prayer, God turned this family’s hardship into a lifelong faith and testimony to God’s miraculous provision.
It’s time for you
to Believe
too
As the Smallbone family stands on the brink of failure, David lies in bed, depressed and despondent. His family, however, is not ready to give up on their dream. They believe. “It’s time for you to believe, too,” Helen tells him. Here’s some advice on how to help a depressed spouse.
I am
Honored
to be your dad
Not only do we need to forgive our children, but it is essential that we ask our children for forgiveness. When David asked his family to forgive him, not only did he receive their forgiveness, but he won their hearts and restored their relationships. Forgiving and asking for forgiveness are essential parenting traits.
Family’s not in
the way
they are
the way
Childhood seems to pass in an instant. One day we are chasing toddlers, the next we are watching them drive off to college. What often seems like obstacles are truly God’s gifts pointing you in the right direction.
Need Family Help? | Call 1–800–a–Family
How We’re Helping
Families
Practice Makes Parent
Dr. Danny Huerta and Rebecca St. James deliver Christian parenting strategies to help you through every stage of parenting.
Crazy Little Thing Called Marriage
Even Christian married couples have messy moments in their marriage. Get practical advice from experts Dr. Greg and Erin Smalley.
Discover Your Parenting Traits
Take this short research-based assessment to learn your strengths as a parent as well as areas you could improve.
Helping Marriages Thrive
Just engaged? Married 50 years? We have resources to help all couples successfully navigate through life’s many twists and turns.
Thank you Poster
Download the “Please & Thank You” poster to begin being thankful and praying with your family.