MY ANSWER

I know I ought to be taking my children to church, but I'm a single mother on a limited income, and I'm afraid people will just look down on us because we can't afford fancy clothes.
Billy Graham writes, "Which should be more important to you: worrying what others might think about you—or helping your children learn to follow Jesus?"

MY ANSWER

We are very concerned about our son, because it looks to us like college has turned him away from God.
Billy Graham writes, "Young people often question their faith as they grow older, particularly when they get away from home and run into people who reject God."

MY ANSWER

My husband and I got married a year ago. Our stepchildren don't get along, and sometimes I wonder if it would be better for us just to split up.
Billy Graham writes, "Have you ever noticed that what looks like the easy way out of a problem usually turns out to be the wrong way?"

MY ANSWER

We've been urging our kids to avoid drugs, but they recently found out that we experimented with drugs when we were in college. Have we lost our right to speak to them about this?
Billy Graham writes, "No, not necessarily—and in fact if you handle it wisely, it may give you greater credibility with them."

MY ANSWER

We lost our home and almost everything in it to a fire a few months ago, and it has been devastating.
Billy Graham writes, "One of the Bible's greatest truths is that God is able to bring good even out of evil. This doesn't make the situation good or easy—but it does mean God is with us."

MY ANSWER

I'm in my 20s and I just found out that I was adopted as a baby. Don't you think my parents should have told me much earlier?
Billy Graham writes, "Rightly or wrongly, your adoptive parents chose to conceal this from you, and I'm sure that at the time they felt they were doing the right thing."

MY ANSWER

I'm really dreading Easter this year because it will be the first big holiday since my husband died.
Billy Graham writes, "I can understand how you feel, and I know many people reading this understand also, because they too are grieving the loss of a loved one."

MY ANSWER

Our parents are insisting my boyfriend and I wait until we get out of college before we get married, but we don't want to do this. Would it be wrong for us to get married secretly?
Billy Graham writes, "I sincerely hope you both will stop and consider carefully what your parents are telling you."

MY ANSWER

I'm not doing very well in high school, and I want to drop out. How can I persuade my parents to let me do this?
Billy Graham writes, "If you and I could sit down and talk, I would do everything I could to persuade you to stay in school."

MY ANSWER

My wife left me about a year ago, and I really miss our children (who are almost in their teens now). I admit I wasn't a very good father, but is there any way I can go back and make things right?
Billy Graham writes, "We may not be able to change the past, but we can change the future—with God's help."

MY ANSWER

For Mother's Day, we'll take our mother out to dinner or something like that, but can you suggest anything special we can do for her?
Billy Graham writes, "One of the most important things you can do for your mother is to tell her very sincerely that you love her."

MY ANSWER

My boss wants to promote me to a new position, but it involves a lot of travel. My family is very opposed to that. What should I do?
Billy Graham writes, "The most important thing you can do is seek God's will as you make this decision. You only see a part of the picture—but God sees it all, and He knows what is best for you and your family."

MY ANSWER

I've been thinking about leaving my estranged family out of my will and giving everything to charity. Would that be wrong?
Billy Graham writes, "Over the years, I've come to believe that we ought to seek God's will about the way our money will be used after our deaths, just as much as we do while we're living."

MY ANSWER

My father just died, and I feel so guilty because I never really thanked him for all he did for me.
Billy Graham writes, "We can't change the past—but we can learn from it! ... The Bible tells us to 'give thanks in all circumstances' (1 Thessalonians 5:18)."

MY ANSWER

My estranged father sent word to my brother and me that he's only got a few months to live, and he wants to see us. Why should we bother?
Billy Graham writes, "I realize that what your father did was very hurtful to you and your brother, and those hurts are still with you. ... But listen: If you refuse to meet your father now, won't you always wonder why he wanted to see you?"

MY ANSWER

My husband and I feel so guilty, because we put his mother in a nursing home. Is God trying to tell us to bring her back?
Billy Graham writes, "I know this wasn't an easy decision to make, and it's natural to worry about decisions like this after we've made them. But unless God clearly directs you to bring her back into your home, you should assume you have taken the right path."

MY ANSWER

My brother died recently, and his wife didn't even notify any of us until after the funeral. Is it wrong for us to feel angry about this?
Billy Graham writes, "From what you say, your sister-in-law was thoughtless (or even worse) by failing to notify you, even if your families weren't particularly close and seldom had contact ... [but] what good will your anger do?"

MY ANSWER

Our family has been torn apart because of a disagreement over some land my father left me in his will.
Billy Graham writes, "Don't stop praying for your family; God is stronger than even the most stubborn heart, and He is able to overcome even the greatest bitterness and anger."

MY ANSWER

My sister is carrying on an affair with a married man. How can I get through to her?
Billy Graham writes, "One of the most devastating effects of sin is that it often blinds us to its consequences. Almost every person who gets entangled in a sin like this thinks they will get by with it ... But they are wrong."

MY ANSWER

My mother-in-law is always telling people I'm not good enough for her family. It upsets my wife as well as me, but we don't know what to do.
Billy Graham writes, "In reality, your mother-in-law is the one who has the biggest problem, not you—although I know it's hard to look at it that way."