Perfection is the enemy of parenting. Jim Daly sees and hears from
mothers and fathers trying hard to pursue perfection. They listen to the
best experts and read all the right books. When someone gives them a
"World's Best Mom" or "No. 1 Dad" coffee mug, they want it to be true.
And they want their children to pursue perfection, too.
It's admirable for parents to be the very best moms and dads they can be
for their children. But sometimes in so doing, they leave grace
behind--both for themselves and their children. Jim believes that our
quest for perfection, a quest that he believes is particularly strong
among Christians, runs counter to God's own boundless gift of grace. We
can become Pharisaical parents, quoting endless rules and holding
everyone to impossible standards. But God doesn't want us, and our kids
don't need us, to be perfect. As parents, we're called to simply do our
best. And when we fail--which we will--we're called to try again
tomorrow.
Though he's the President of Focus on the Family, Jim does not promise
that his book will be a catalyst for a perfect family. But it can help
point the way toward a good family--one that feels safe and warm; one
filled with love and laughter. This book will encourage mothers and
fathers to embrace the messiness of parenthood and show grace to their
own less-than-ideal children. Jim, through his own experiences,
expertise, and array of stories, will lead both moms and dads to a
better understanding of what being a good family is all about.
