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Night Light for Parents- September 20, 2020

Tryout Day Encourage one another and build each other up. 1 Thessalonians 5:11 An encouraging word is welcome at any time, but is needed most of all after a disappointment or failure. That's why Scripture instructs us to "encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone" (1 Thessalonians 5:14). I (jcd) am reminded of a story about Joy, a twelve-year-old who had her heart set on making the school cheerleading squad. She practiced cheers, cartwheels, and toe-touches for weeks. Yet on tryout day, Joy's best effort still fell short. She was crushed. Joy's mother had been traveling at the time. When she returned she asked, "Joy, how did tryouts go?" "I lost," Joy answered quietly. "Really?" said her mother. She put her arms around her daughter. "Well, Joy, I am so proud of you for working so very hard, and then for having the courage to go out there and try!" The change in Joy's expression was immediate. If Joy's mother had showed the slightest disappointment or embarrassment, Joy would have felt even worse. Emotions are contagious. We tend to "catch" the reactions of those around us and incorporate their highs and lows in our own spirits. Your children are at their most vulnerable when they endure a terrible hurt or setback. Your attention and thoughtfulness during these moments can lessen the pain and bring you closer to your kids. Like Joy's mother, you may even find the silver lining that turns disappointment into triumph. Before you say good night… Do you try to turn around disappointments in your family? What "encouragement strategies" can you deploy? Lord Jesus, we need eyes like Yours—eyes that see opportunities to bring comfort out of pain, light out of darkness, hope out of despair. Open our eyes and hearts, Lord, so that we might walk our children through these years. Amen. From Night Light For Parents, by Dr. James & Shirley Dobson Copyright © 2000 by James Dobson, Inc. All rights reserved. Illustration adapted from Mothers Have Angel Wings, compiled and edited by Carol Kent (Colorado Springs, Colo.: NavPress Publishing Group, 1997).

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Buy Now Night Light for Parents: A Devotional Did you find this devotional helpful and inspiring? Read the book for more!

Copyright Information These devotionals are drawn from Night Light for Parents by Dr. James and Shirley Dobson. For more information or to buy a print copy, see Night Light for Parents.

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Night Light for Couples- September 20, 2020

Games People Play "If anything is excellent or praiseworthy— think about such things." Philippians 4:8 Have you ever been to a party and watched someone play "Assassinate the Spouse?" The objective is simple: A contestant attempts to punish his mate by ridiculing her in front of their friends. If he wants to be especially vicious, he lets the guests know he thinks she is dumb and ugly. It's a brutal game with no winners. The contest ends when his wife is totally divested of self‐respect and dignity; he gets bonus points if he can reduce her to tears. Sound cruel? It is, even when it's carried out under the guise of joking or teasing. It's never enjoyable to watch someone take out anger against his (or her) mate in this way. In contrast, what a pleasure it is to spend time with couples who continually build each other up in front of others. When a husband tells his guests about his wife's incredible cooking, patience with the kids, or promotion at work—or the wife boasts about her husband's talent on the job or his ability to speak in public or fix broken pipes—you'll see the other spouse smile a bit more brightly and stand a little taller. We're always most sensitive to the comments of our mate in the presence of our peers. The next time you're out with friends, remember to look for opportunities to honor your mate. Leave the game playing to others. Just between us… Have I embarrassed or hurt you in public? If so, can we talk about it? How do you feel when I praise you in front of our friends? In what ways could we build each other up in public? Father, we want to show each other love, honor, and consideration always— but especially in front of others. Forgive us for our failures. Give us grace to learn and change, we pray. Amen. From Night Light For Couples, by Dr. James & Shirley Dobson Copyright © 2000 by James Dobson, Inc. All rights reserved.

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Buy Now Night Light: A Devotional for Couples Did you find this devotional helpful and inspiring? Read the book for more!

Copyright Information These devotionals are drawn from Night Light for Couples by Dr. James and Shirley Dobson. For more information or to buy a print copy, see Night Light for Couples.

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