As a single mom of an infant son and new Christian in 1993, I found Focus on the Family on a local radio station. Dr. Dobson provided me with so many tools and encouragement to raise my son as a Christian. I am honored to say my son has not stepped away from his love for Christ. I believe God used Dr. Dobson to teach me how to parent, find a good church, and be a witness for traditional family values. Coming from a non-traditional starting place, I never felt judgment but only encouraged through his programs. My favorite of his books was Dare to Discipline. I remember one trying incident with my son when he was around three. We were heading home from the grocery store, and he was throwing a temper tantrum because he wanted the bag of pretzels I bought for another time. I was frazzled, and I threateningly said, “If you don’t calm down, I’m going to throw them out the window.” Of course, my son didn’t calm down. Dr. Dobson’s words that I had to follow through rang in my head. I know it was just a bag of pretzels, but at that time I was making just above minimum wage and struggling. I heeded his advice, and the pretzels went out the window. The pretzel incident was the turning point, and my strong-willed boy became much more respectful. Thank you, Dr. Dobson, for your steadfast teaching, warmth when delivering truth, and commitment to Jesus and the family. I hope to thank you in person when I join you in heaven. My deepest condolences to Mrs. Dobson, Danae, and Ryan.
PreviousWe have been profoundly impacted by Dr. James Dobson and the ministry with which God has blessed us through him. I, Laura, was not raised in a nurturing environment. Our father was abusive, beating and sexually exploiting all six of us. He abandoned us when I was 10, and we subsequently moved from one home to another until I was 15. At that point, my mother left, and I became homeless. At 20, I found myself pregnant and contemplating abortion. However, my sister had begun attending Willow Creek Community Church in South Barrington, Illinois, where she had heard Dr. Dobson speak. She implored me not to abort my baby, and, with the support of my sister and brother-in-law, I decided to keep my child. Two years later, I started attending church and became involved in ministry, particularly with Focus on the Family. We began receiving the Brio magazine for our daughter. When she was 14, she participated in a mission trip to Brazil with Susie Shellenberger. She went again at 16 and subsequently decided to pursue a career in medicine. Our daughter is now a doctor, married with three children, and they all thoroughly enjoy Clubhouse magazine and Adventures in Odyssey. We, along with our daughter, are avid listeners and fans of Family Talk, which has been a source of inspiration for us. Thank you, Dr. James Dobson, for helping my husband and me to parent our daughters.
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