As I struggled with the idea of being president of Focus on the Family, the thought hit me that God owns it all.  This is about Him and not me.  He is the author of families—yes, the healthy and the not-so-healthy family.  It is His design and it is wonderful to see it when it works well, like in Dr. Dobson’s case, and it is amazing that He can take the broken pieces, like in my case, and still make something positive, like my family, out of it.

Every day you receive letters at Focus on the Family from people in desperate circumstances who feel utterly hopeless.  What encouragement can you offer them?
 
Every time I read one of those letters, I want to pick up the phone and say, “I understand a little of what you may be feeling.”  I’d remind them that their file hasn’t blown off God’s desk.  Their marriages may be on the rocks, their kids may be out of control, but He still knows where they live.  He cares for them in spite of what they may see in the moment.  What’s more, God has both the power to quiet their storms and the ability to give their life new meaning and purpose.  Those are not just empty words.  I’ve lived it and know that nothing is impossible with God.

What do you think is the greatest hope for families today?  So many—in  the church and without—are broken, so many children's hearts are broken when their families split up.

It is so obvious.  A family that puts Christ in the center, although not perfect, will have love and the strength to get through the tough times.

How do you define home? 

A loving family.

How much of finding home for you was in your relationship with God, and how much was in establishing your own family? 

What does it mean when God says to us that he is our father?  Jesus said we should call him “abba father,” which is similar to daddy.  At times as a child, and especially as a teenager, I felt him close to me.  Typically, I noticed him in my circumstances.  I sensed he cared for me.  I don’t think we understand how real his love is for us. 

As for my family, there are days I blow it, and yes, I can sense the Lord being displeased with me, and it makes me want to try harder.

For those who are hurting and broken, and still searching for love, who have not been able to establish families of their own, what comfort would you offer them? 

I would encourage them to consider that they are part of a family.  Like me, they are adopted into the family of God.  What greater privilege is there?  He has chosen you to be part of his family.  Now, reach out to another and share the good news with them.  Be a comfort to the broken hearted.  There is tremendous healing in caring for others.  I always felt there were others in more pain than me.  Keeping others in mind helps keep your heart tender in this life. 

Why do you think it is a mistake to try and save others and ourselves from experiencing brokenness?

To most of us, the idea of having a broken spirit feels like having the plague.  Being broken is very real to me.  Perhaps that’s a good state for the human heart to be in—at least for a season.  Certainly it’s tempting to mask our pain through the distraction of entertainment, work and sports.  Pain hurts, and who wants that?  Yet, in spite of our best efforts to avoid brokenness, being undone appears to be a prerequisite for many people to come to a relationship with God.  I know such was the case for me.  I’ve found that when I am broken, I can finally understand how totally dependent I am on God.  Truly, he has fashioned the splintered pieces of my life into a remarkable mosaic.

After pursuing careers in sales and international business, Jim Daly became a member of the Focus on the Family team in 1989. Since then he has risen through the company until becoming President and CEO in 2005. He lives with his wife of twenty six years, Jean, and their two sons, in Colorado Springs.