MY ANSWER

I grew up in a home that was very critical and negative. Now I find myself doing the same with my children.
Billy Graham writes, "First, ask God to heal your past. I don't know what impact your parents' negativism had on you—but whatever it was, ask God to help you forgive them, and to realize that He loves you and watches over you."

MY ANSWER

Our son was active in church during his teens, but now as an adult he doesn't have anything to do with God. Why did this happen?
Billy Graham writes, "The ultimate problem with most people is that they want to run their own lives instead of allowing God to run them."

MY ANSWER

A friend of mine doesn't think she ought to limit what her children read or see on television or the Internet.
Billy Graham writes, "No parent would allow their children to wander into a busy intersection or sample the pill bottles in their medicine cabinet. Shouldn't we safeguard our children's moral and spiritual health just as much?"

MY ANSWER

Our teenager tells us we're out of touch because no one his age pays attention to Jesus.
Billy Graham writes, "He may be right when he says most people his age are influenced more by the latest pop star than by Jesus—but of course that isn't the whole story."

MY ANSWER

Our children are all grown up and gone, so what do you think Mother's Day should mean to us now?
Billy Graham writes, "For one thing, it should be a time of thanksgiving as we remember our own mothers and thank God for them. Where would we be without them?"

MY ANSWER

How can I tell my mother to back off and stop trying to run our family's life? I don't want to hurt her, but what should I do?
Billy Graham writes, "Try to understand your mother's actions—even if you occasionally find them irritating. No doubt she loves you and your family, and even if she intrudes more than she should, she still cares for you and wants what is best for you."

MY ANSWER

We had our first child a few months ago, and to be honest, it's been a very sobering experience for me. How can I be a good father?
Billy Graham writes, "The first step is to realize that God gave this child to you, and you and your wife are only stewards or trustees of this little one God has entrusted to you."

MY ANSWER

Our daughter is getting married and we aren't pleased with her choice of husband. Should we attend the wedding or not?
Billy Graham writes, "Only you know the full situation, of course—but based on what you say, I urge you not to stay away from your daughter's wedding, even if you rightly disagree with the way she's been living or feel she is making a mistake."

MY ANSWER

Our son's wife left him about a year ago. He came to live with us, but he doesn't show any signs moving on with his life. How should we deal with him?
Billy Graham writes, "The breakup of a marriage is almost always very painful to at least one partner, and you did the right thing by providing a shelter for your son."

MY ANSWER

Our daughter is trying to get the latest fashions, but we don’t feel comfortable with some of them because they’re provocative. She says we’re old-fashioned.
Billy Graham writes, "I'm thankful for your concern, and I urge you to help your daughter be wise in the way she dresses—even at the risk of being called old-fashioned!"

MY ANSWER

My mother died last year at 84, and I feel so guilty over the way I treated her. Will God forgive me?
Billy Graham writes, "One of life's hardest lessons is that we can't go back and change the past. Much as we'd like to, we can't undo the wrong things we did, or (as in your case) do the things we failed to do."

MY ANSWER

My father was an alcoholic, and I hated what it did to our family. But now I think I might be headed the same way. What's wrong with me?
Billy Graham writes, "Surely, one of life's greatest mysteries is why we'll go ahead and do something when we know it's going to destroy us—and yet it happens all the time."

MY ANSWER

We have four children, all adults now, and not one of them has anything to do with church. Is there anything we can do to change their attitude?
Billy Graham writes, "The most important thing you can do is to pray for your children. Sometimes, I find, parents pray faithfully for their children when they are young, but then fail to keep praying as they grow older."

MY ANSWER

My husband and I get upset at our neighbors. They seem to care more for their business than they do for their children. Should we say something to them?
Billy Graham writes, "This isn't an easy question to answer—and the reason is because you could easily say the wrong thing and get your neighbors upset at you."

MY ANSWER

I feel so guilty and brokenhearted, because none of our children has turned out very well. Where did I go wrong?
Billy Graham writes, "No parent is perfect; we all can look back and think of ways we could have been better parents to our children. That's why every parent needs God's grace and forgiveness, for only He can take our failures and make something good out of them."

MY ANSWER

My wife died two years ago, and the hardest part has been the loneliness. Am I doomed to be lonely the rest of my life?
Billy Graham writes, "God knows your situation, and the most important thing I can tell you is to seek His will for your future. He loves you, and He alone knows what is best for you."

MY ANSWER

I'm a single mother living in a pretty rough part of our city, and I worry about my two boys. Am I just a worrywart?
Billy Graham writes, "No, you aren't being a worrywart; young people today are under enormous pressures, and they need guidance and wisdom from those who understand the dangers they face."

MY ANSWER

I got divorced, and now I've fallen in love again. My mother is telling me to go slow. I wish she'd back off and let me run my own life. How can I get this across to her?
Billy Graham writes, "Your mother cares about you; if she didn't, she wouldn't be trying to get you to be more cautious. She knows the pain you went through with your divorce and doesn't want you to go through it again."

MY ANSWER

My mother is constantly giving my wife and me advice and interfering in our lives. She said the Bible says children ought to obey their parents. Is she right?
Billy Graham writes, "The Bible does teach that children should be obedient to their parents, for if they aren't, they may well grow up to be irresponsible and undisciplined. But this verse doesn't apply to children who have grown up and gotten married."

MY ANSWER

My sister and I are very different, and my parents don't want anything to do with her. She's really living a wild life, but I can't cut off all contact with her. Do you think I should?
Billy Graham writes, "I don't know your full situation, of course, but if possible, I hope you can maintain contact with your sister and do whatever you can to help her and encourage her to change."