{"id":298480,"date":"2024-10-02T08:00:00","date_gmt":"2024-10-02T08:56:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wp-stage.familylife.com\/www\/podcast\/%series%\/childhood-grief-family-disruption-scott-kedersha-ron-deal\/"},"modified":"2024-11-19T04:14:42","modified_gmt":"2024-11-19T09:14:42","slug":"childhood-grief-family-disruption-scott-kedersha-ron-deal","status":"publish","type":"podcast","link":"https:\/\/wp-stage.familylife.com\/www\/podcast\/familylife-today\/childhood-grief-family-disruption-scott-kedersha-ron-deal\/","title":{"rendered":"Childhood Grief &#038; Family Disruption: Scott Kedersha &#038; Ron Deal"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Dave and Ann Wilson welcome Scott Kedersha, author and marriage pastor, and Ron Deal to the show. They explore how Scott&#8217;s early experiences of grief and family disruption shaped his approach to marriage and parenting.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Dave and Ann Wilson welcome Scott Kedersha, author and marriage pastor, and Ron Deal to the show. They explore how Scott&#8217;s early experiences of grief and family disruption shaped his approach to marriage and parenting.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":47000,"featured_media":280865,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_seopress_robots_primary_cat":"","_seopress_titles_title":"","_seopress_titles_desc":"","_seopress_robots_index":"","inline_featured_image":false,"_uag_custom_page_level_css":"","episode_type":"audio","audio_file":"https:\/\/traffic.omny.fm\/d\/clips\/cbd16f10-ac60-4f09-b4df-b15400ce35aa\/33aaac7e-3581-4e21-a3df-b154011ba58c\/57ebc3db-dd8e-4ac1-8410-b1ed011e113a\/audio.mp3","cover_image":"","cover_image_id":"","duration":"00:26:42","filesize":"24.48M","filesize_raw":"","date_recorded":"2024-10-02 08:00:00","explicit":"","block":""},"categories":[2921],"tags":[],"podcast_series":[],"cwp_profile":[3300,3641],"series":[2101],"class_list":["post-298480","podcast","type-podcast","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blended-family","cwp_profile-ron-deal","cwp_profile-scott-kedersha","series-familylife-today"],"acf":[],"episode_featured_image":"https:\/\/wp-stage.familylife.com\/www\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1001\/2024\/06\/image-scaled.jpg?w=1024","episode_player_image":"https:\/\/wp-stage.familylife.com\/www\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1001\/2023\/02\/image-scaled.jpg","download_link":"https:\/\/wp-stage.familylife.com\/www\/podcast-download\/298480\/childhood-grief-family-disruption-scott-kedersha-ron-deal","player_link":"https:\/\/wp-stage.familylife.com\/www\/podcast-player\/298480\/childhood-grief-family-disruption-scott-kedersha-ron-deal","audio_player":null,"episode_data":{"playerMode":"light","subscribeUrls":{"apple_podcasts":{"key":"apple_podcasts","url":"https:\/\/podcasts.apple.com\/us\/podcast\/familylife-today\/id212174303?mt=2&app=podcast","label":"Apple Podcasts","class":"apple_podcasts","icon":"apple-podcasts.png"},"google_podcasts":{"key":"google_podcasts","url":"","label":"Google Podcasts","class":"google_podcasts","icon":"google-podcasts.png"},"spotify":{"key":"spotify","url":"https:\/\/open.spotify.com\/show\/0j5UaKdQOHQCuo1bt0ebEm","label":"Spotify","class":"spotify","icon":"spotify.png"},"youtube":{"key":"youtube","url":"","label":"YouTube","class":"youtube","icon":"youtube.png"}},"rssFeedUrl":"https:\/\/wp-stage.familylife.com\/www\/feed\/podcast\/familylife-today","embedCode":"<blockquote class=\"wp-embedded-content\" data-secret=\"rLhCwve7PG\"><a href=\"https:\/\/wp-stage.familylife.com\/www\/podcast\/familylife-today\/childhood-grief-family-disruption-scott-kedersha-ron-deal\/\">Childhood Grief &#038; Family Disruption: Scott Kedersha &#038; Ron Deal<\/a><\/blockquote><iframe sandbox=\"allow-scripts\" security=\"restricted\" src=\"https:\/\/wp-stage.familylife.com\/www\/podcast\/familylife-today\/childhood-grief-family-disruption-scott-kedersha-ron-deal\/embed\/#?secret=rLhCwve7PG\" width=\"500\" height=\"350\" title=\"&#8220;Childhood Grief &#038; Family Disruption: Scott Kedersha &#038; Ron Deal&#8221; &#8212; FamilyLife\u00ae - A Cru Ministry\" data-secret=\"rLhCwve7PG\" frameborder=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\" class=\"wp-embedded-content\"><\/iframe><script>\n\/*! This file is auto-generated *\/\n!function(d,l){\"use strict\";l.querySelector&&d.addEventListener&&\"undefined\"!=typeof URL&&(d.wp=d.wp||{},d.wp.receiveEmbedMessage||(d.wp.receiveEmbedMessage=function(e){var t=e.data;if((t||t.secret||t.message||t.value)&&!\/[^a-zA-Z0-9]\/.test(t.secret)){for(var s,r,n,a=l.querySelectorAll('iframe[data-secret=\"'+t.secret+'\"]'),o=l.querySelectorAll('blockquote[data-secret=\"'+t.secret+'\"]'),c=new RegExp(\"^https?:$\",\"i\"),i=0;i<o.length;i++)o[i].style.display=\"none\";for(i=0;i<a.length;i++)s=a[i],e.source===s.contentWindow&&(s.removeAttribute(\"style\"),\"height\"===t.message?(1e3<(r=parseInt(t.value,10))?r=1e3:~~r<200&&(r=200),s.height=r):\"link\"===t.message&&(r=new URL(s.getAttribute(\"src\")),n=new URL(t.value),c.test(n.protocol))&&n.host===r.host&&l.activeElement===s&&(d.top.location.href=t.value))}},d.addEventListener(\"message\",d.wp.receiveEmbedMessage,!1),l.addEventListener(\"DOMContentLoaded\",function(){for(var e,t,s=l.querySelectorAll(\"iframe.wp-embedded-content\"),r=0;r<s.length;r++)(t=(e=s[r]).getAttribute(\"data-secret\"))||(t=Math.random().toString(36).substring(2,12),e.src+=\"#?secret=\"+t,e.setAttribute(\"data-secret\",t)),e.contentWindow.postMessage({message:\"ready\",secret:t},\"*\")},!1)))}(window,document);\n\/\/# sourceURL=https:\/\/wp-stage.familylife.com\/www\/wp-includes\/js\/wp-embed.min.js\n<\/script>\n"},"spectra_custom_meta":{"secondline_imported_guid":["57ebc3db-dd8e-4ac1-8410-b1ed011e113a"],"audio_file":["https:\/\/traffic.omny.fm\/d\/clips\/cbd16f10-ac60-4f09-b4df-b15400ce35aa\/33aaac7e-3581-4e21-a3df-b154011ba58c\/57ebc3db-dd8e-4ac1-8410-b1ed011e113a\/audio.mp3"],"duration":["00:26:42"],"filesize":["24.48M"],"_thumbnail_id":["280865"],"show_notes":["\n<ul>\n<li>Learn more about the Summit on Stepfamily Ministry: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.summitonstepfamilies.com\/\">SummitOnStepfamilies.com<\/a><\/li>\n<li>Connect with Scott Kedersha and hear more of his thoughts at <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scottkedersha.com\/\">scottkedersha.com<\/a>. And you can find his book, Ready or Knot?, at <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scottkedersha.com\/ready-or-knot\">scottkedersha.com\/ready-or-knot<\/a>.<\/li>\n<li>Enjoyed this episode? Listen to more with Scott <a href=\"https:\/\/wp-stage.familylife.com\/www\/podcast\/guest\/scott-kedersha\/\">here<\/a>!<\/li>\n<li>Ron Deal leads <a href=\"http:\/\/familylife.com\/blended\">FamilyLife Blended<\/a> and hosts the <a href=\"https:\/\/wp-stage.familylife.com\/www\/podcast\/familylife-blended-podcast\/\">FamilyLife Blended Podcast<\/a>. Find more resources for Blended Families: <a href=\"https:\/\/shop.familylife.com\/product\/the-smart-stepfamily\/\">https:\/\/shop.familylife.com\/product\/the-smart-stepfamily\/<\/a>.<\/li>\n<li>Listen to the full episode: <a href=\"https:\/\/wp-stage.familylife.com\/www\/podcast\/familylife-blended-podcast\/132-growing-up-blended-navigating-loss\/\">https:\/\/wp-stage.familylife.com\/www\/podcast\/familylife-blended-podcast\/132-growing-up-blended-navigating-loss\/<\/a><\/li>\n<li>Find resources from this podcast at <a href=\"https:\/\/shop.familylife.com\/product-category\/radio-resources\/\">shop.familylife.com<\/a>.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/shop.familylife.com\/product-category\/past-radio-resources\/\">See resources from our past podcasts.<\/a><\/li>\n<li>Find more content and resources on the <a href=\"https:\/\/wp-stage.familylife.com\/www\/app\/\">FamilyLife's app<\/a>!<\/li>\n<li>Help others find FamilyLife. Leave a review on <a href=\"https:\/\/podcasts.apple.com\/us\/podcast\/familylife-today\/id212174303\">Apple Podcast<\/a> or <a href=\"https:\/\/open.spotify.com\/show\/0j5UaKdQOHQCuo1bt0ebEm?si=d6dfa8d2415f4750\">Spotify<\/a>.<\/li>\n<li>Check out all the FamilyLife's podcasts on the <a href=\"https:\/\/wp-stage.familylife.com\/www\/familylife-podcast-network\/\">FamilyLife Podcast Network<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n"],"transcript_content":["\nFamilyLife Today\u00ae with Dave and Ann Wilson - Web Version Transcript\r\n\r\nThis content has been generated by an artificial intelligence language model. While we strive for accuracy and quality, please note that the information provided will most likely not be entirely error-free or up-to-date. We recommend independently verifying the content with the originally-released audio. This transcript is provided for your personal use and general information purposes only. References to conferences, resources, or other special promotions may be obsolete. We do not assume any responsibility or liability for the use or interpretation of this content.\r\n\r\nChildhood Grief and Family Disruption\r\n\r\nGuests:Ron Deal and Scott Kedersha\r\n\r\nFrom the series:Childhood Grief and Family Disruption (Day 1 of 1)\r\n\r\nAir date:October 2, 2024\r\n\r\nScott:When I look back on my life, growing up, I think my mom did the absolute best that she could. I have no frustration, resentment. It was just, I'd say, superficial on the way that we communicated about life. And I don't blame her. I think she's just trying to get by and figure out: \u201cHow do we pay the bills and get kids to school?\u201d And so it was not a malicious thing, but we just never had a depth to our relationship.\r\n\r\nShelby: Welcome to FamilyLife Today, where we want to help you pursue the relationships that matter most. I'm Shelby Abbott, and your hosts are Dave and Ann Wilson. You can find us at FamilyLifeToday.com.\r\n\r\nAnn:This is FamilyLife Today!\r\n\r\nDave:Alright, Ann, I've got a question for you. \r\n\r\nAnn: Okay. \r\n\r\nDave: Do you think it's helpful for people to look back at their childhood, and think, \u201cMy parents did the best they could\u201d? I want to answer that for our kids, if they're listening, \u201cYes, you should do that.\u201d\r\n\r\nAnn: I think that that's a good thing. But I don't think we all come to that realization quickly. Like now, at this age, I can say my parents did the best they could; but I think a lot of us go through a phase that we see ourselves as being broken. We think, \u201cWhose fault is that? Oh, I know; it's my parents' fault!\u201d And so I think we can blame them, or blame our past circumstances on different things or people. But I think that's a grace statement: \u201cMy parents did the best they could.\u201d\r\n\r\nDave:And I think it takes time [for] healing\u2014\r\n\r\nAnn: \u2014maturity.\r\n\r\nDave:\u2014and maturity to get to that point. I honestly think almost every child\u2014we did\u2014goes through that sort of journey in their 30s. \r\n\r\nAnn: Me, too. \r\n\r\nDave: It may happen in their 20s; but for us, it was in their 30s. I started questioning everything about my childhood; and it took some time to get to a point where, \u201cYou know what? It was pretty broken\u2014divorce; blended family\u2014but they did the best they could.\u201d And again\u2014\r\n\r\nAnn: \u2014I hope our kids will say, \u201cThey did the best they could\u201d; because we did!\r\n\r\nDave:Yeah; I hope they\u2019d say the same thing. \r\n\r\nSo why do we bring that up? Because, today, we're going to listen to a portion of a FamilyLife Blended\u00ae podcast with Ron Deal. Many of you know this, but Ron directs our FamilyLife Blended\u00ae ministry. In fact, in just a couple of weeks, they are gathering leaders from all around the country together at the annual Summit on Stepfamily Ministry this year in Dallas, Texas. And you can, of course, still join Ron for that event; just go to SummitOnStepfamilies.com for more information. \r\n\r\nAnn: And then, today, we're going to hear some of Ron's conversation with Scott Kedersha. He's been on FamilyLife Today before.\r\n\r\nDave:I love this guy; I really do. \r\n\r\nAnn: I do, too. \r\n\r\nDave: He's amazing.\r\n\r\nAnn: He's the marriage pastor at Harris Creek Baptist Church in Waco, Texas. He's also authored two books for engaged couples, including Ready or Knot?\u2014spelled KNOT\u2014and he co-hosts the popular marriage podcast, More than Roommates. So he and his wife have four sons. And Scott grew up in a blended family, which is what Ron was talking with him about.\r\n\r\nDave:And I would say, \u201cOkay, if you're not a blended family, don't turn it off.\u201d Sometimes, you can think that: \u201cIt doesn't apply to me.\u201d This will apply to you. And I guarantee: \u201cIf it doesn't apply directly to you, you know somebody in your life who will be touched by stepfamily realities, eventually.\u201d So here's Ron and Scott.\r\n\r\n[Previous FamilyLife Blended Podcast]\r\n\r\nRon: My goodness, Scott, it's so good to have you with me. Thanks for being here, buddy. \r\n\r\nScott:Good to be here with you, Ron. I appreciate you so much and grateful for all the work you do. You're a good friend; it's good to be with friends.\r\n\r\nRon:Yeah, thank you. We are like-minded. The more I spend time with you, the more I know you're one of my peeps. \r\n\r\nScott: Yes, for sure; we have the same passion. \r\n\r\nRon: Speaking of passions, I know one of the reasons you're a marriage pastor is because you want to help children grow up with healthy families. You want them to have a healthy experience of marriage. You want them to have a model\/a healthy model of marriage when it comes time for them to start looking for life partners. Did you have a good model for marriage when you were growing up?\r\n\r\nScott: Yeah, that's a great question. I really didn't have that, growing up. So I grew up in New Jersey\u2014New Jersey and the northeast\u2014and my mom's name is Diane. She's amazing; and she was married to Dennis, my dad. My dad died\/Dennis died when I was young. So when I was four years old, he had a massive, massive heart attack. And it turned out he had something called\u2014it's a coarctation of the aorta\u2014the aorta wasn't working right, and so caused all these problems in his heart. He's out shoveling one day in the northeast, because it snows all the time there, and just had this massive heart attack\u2014and really, was in the hospital, in and out, for the next two years; and then, passed away\u2014he was 39 years old when he died. I was six; one little brother, who's two and a half years younger than me.\r\n\r\nAnd so my brother Chris and I grew up in a single-parent family home for a few years with my mom. Man, those were tough years for her\u2014really, really tough for her to lose her husband, whom she loved so much\u2014and trying to raise us two boys in a home without a dad, trying to just pay the bills; get by; figure out how to work, and provide, and take care of us. And so I really grew up largely, from the ages of four to ten, really without a dad in the home. Even though my dad was still around for a few years, it was really from the age of four through ten that we were essentially a dad-less home; because my dad was in the hospital and then passed.\r\n\r\nRon: Yeah. Hey, so I know it's hard sometimes; but I mean, what do you remember during those years?\u2014four to ten, for you and your brother?\u2014for you and your mom?\u2014just your family, what was a normal day?\r\n\r\nScott:Yeah, I remember a lot of people coming in and helping. And so we would go home with a friend every day. In some ways, it was really normal\u2014we played baseball, and played sports and soccer\u2014and we'd go hang out with extended family. I know there were times that we would go spend time with my aunt and uncle, which probably gave my mom a little break from just the challenges. I definitely remember being different than a lot of people around me, who had a mom and a dad. And I didn't have a relationship with Jesus, so I knew I was angry; I didn't know who I was angry at. \r\n\r\nAnd it was sad and hard for my mom. She was so young; she was 33 when my dad passed away. \r\n\r\nRon: How did grief get handled? I mean, so you remember seeing your mom sad. Do you remember feeling that way?\u2014your brother? Did you guys talk about dad once he had passed away?\u2014or I mean, how'd that go?\r\n\r\nScott:Yeah, such a good question. The way that emotions were handled is my mom would say, \u201cNever let anyone see you cry.\u201d And so I remember two things:\r\n\r\nOne was people saying: \u201cYou're, now, the man of the household.\u201d And so you're responsible for the home\u2014like  six-years-old and seven-year-old someone\u2014and there was no ill intent in that, but just having this weight and responsibility on me. \r\n\r\nAnd then, mom telling me: \u201cDon't let people see you cry. Don't let people see weakness.\u201d \r\n\r\nWe didn't really talk about it. There was no grief counseling; no one to come in and talk to us about it. It was just kind of like, \u201cHey, life moves on. We still have school, and baseball, and bills to pay; and life kind of happens and goes on.\u201d And so we never really processed it all.\r\n\r\nRon: I'm sitting here\u2014I got my family-therapist hat on\u2014and when mom says, \u201cOkay, here's the rule for how to do grief: \u2018Never let them see you cry.\u2019\u201d \r\n\r\nShe's also telling you how she wants to handle her pain.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nB) She's telling you: \u201cDon't let me see you cry,\u201d inadvertently. That's isolating\u2014I would think isolating you guys\u2014from one another and from grieving forward together.\r\n\r\nScott:I think what it led to was a lack of depth in our relationship of talking about things that really matter. I love deep relationships and deep conversations, and I want to know what's going on with people. I've been a marriage pastor for 17 years, and so I'm used to digging deep with people and love going deep myself. \r\n\r\nAnd so, when I look back on my life, growing up, I think my mom did the absolute best that she could. I have no frustration, resentment. It was just, I'd say, superficial on the way that we communicated about life. And I don't blame her. I think she's just trying to get by and figure out: \u201cHow do we pay the bills, and get kids to school, and sign all the forms, and do all the things?\u201d And so it was not a malicious thing, but we just never had a depth to our relationship.\r\n\r\nRon: Okay; so let's pick up the backstory. So around ten, did something change?\r\n\r\nScott: Yeah; so probably\u2014that's a great question\u2014I don't remember how old I was; but I bet I was probably nine or ten, probably nine. And all of a sudden, this guy starts showing up at our house; and his name is Bob. He actually just passed away probably six years ago. But my mom started hanging out with Bob\u2014and Robert, if you will\u2014and he was a sporting goods rep. He worked as a middleman between a sporting goods company and manufacturers in a sporting goods store. \r\n\r\nAnd so he would start showing up, and he knew how to connect with us. He was really, really great at that. And so he\u2019d come to take my mom out for a date. And we didn't really know what was going on, but we just knew they were spending time together. He was best friends with our next door neighbors. And so he was divorced\u2014had a son and two daughters, who were great\u2014still have a relationship with all three of them to this day. But they started hanging out with each other. He knew he was great at connecting with us, as kids: and so he'd bring a football; he'd bring a Frisbee; he'd bring us baseball cards.\r\n\r\nRon: I was going to say: \u201cSporting goods guy; he's got access to all the good stuff.\u201d\r\n\r\nScott:He did; he did. He knew how to connect. And in fact\u2014kind of a funny story\u2014I'll tell long story, short; but it's important. He would always go to these sporting goods shows. And so he'd be like the middleman between\u2014call it Nike and Dick's Sporting Goods\u2014and so Nike would come out with a new product, and Dick's would want to sell it. He would bring the new product to Dick's, say, \u201cHere's what it is. You want to buy this number of them at this many stores.\u201d \r\n\r\nEvery year they would have these big conventions, where all the manufacturers would get together with and just promote all their new stuff. And so humongous show, like at the Chicago Convention Center, and all these big convention centers. And my dad would go to these shows\u2014and he would represent the companies\u2014find out what's going on; come back home with all the things everyone needs to buy at the stores.\r\n\r\nBut the coolest thing is that, every show, there are all these famous athletes that were there who represented the company. So if it's 2023, Steph Curry is representing Under Armour; and LeBron is representing Nike. Back in the day, it was all of the best and biggest athletes. And so he would come home with a stack of signed autographs for me\u2014personalized notes\u2014that go, like, \u201cHey, Scott, I hope you have a great baseball game on Monday;\u2014 \r\n\r\nRon: That's awesome! \r\n\r\nScott: \u2014\u201cyou're playing the Giants,\u201d and it would be signed by Pete Rose. I mean, Marvin Hagler; all the best football players. And over the years, he just did a great job of collecting autographs for us; and it was just his way of building a relationship with us. And so I was like, \u201cI don't know who this guy is, but he's bringing me footballs and baseballs, and autographs; and so he must be okay.\u201d He did a really good job of building a relationship with us. \r\n\r\nNow, fast forward, it turns out I found out\u2014literally, in his last days of life\u2014that he forged most of those autographs. So I don't recommend lying to build a relationship with your kids.\r\n\r\nRon: Okay, pro tip for the listener and the viewer: \u201cDon\u2019t lie.\u201d \r\n\r\nScott:Yes; \u201cDon\u2019t lie.\u201d\r\n\r\n[Studio]\r\n\r\nAnn: Okay; wow, that was a good life lesson there. And you're listening to FamilyLife Today. We're listening to a portion of the Family Life Blended podcast with Ron Deal and guest, Scott Kedersha.\r\n\r\nDave:And I got to say, as funny as that story is, I've actually done that. \r\n\r\nAnn: What?!\r\n\r\nDave: Often, in 33 years with the Detroit Lions, I would get confused with our kicker, Jason Hanson. We look alike, but I'm 15 years older. I remember one time, going in and out of the locker room after a game; and this woman kept saying, \u201cJason, Jason, give me your autograph.\u201d And I'm like, \u201cMa'am, I'm not Jason.\u201d And I went into the locker room; I came back: \u201cJason\u2026\u201d I go, \u201cReally; I'm not Jason.\u201d And so the third time I came out, she goes, \u201cYou're supposed to be a Christian, and you're lying to me!\u201d I'm like, \u201cOkay, give me your thing.\u201d And I just signed it. I went in, and said, Jason, \u201cHey, I have to tell you I signed your name.\u201d He goes, \u201cOh, I'm glad you made me look better.\u201d \r\n\r\nBut anyway, hearing Scott talk about that, I'm glad he is laughing about it now;\u2014 \r\n\r\nAnn: Me, too.\r\n\r\nDave: \u2014because that could have been a terrible moment for [him] and his dad. \r\n\r\nBut anyway, we're going to go back and hear Ron and Scott talk some more. You're going to love what he shares next.\r\n\r\n[Previous FamilyLife Blended Podcast]\r\n\r\nRon: You may not remember a moment\u2014and really, I think for a lot of kids, there's not a moment\u2014there's just: \u201cI wake up one day, and I'm somehow okay with this person in my life.\u201d Did that happen for you?\r\n\r\nScott:Yes, for sure. And I want to say two things: one along the way; and then one, as I look back:\r\n\r\nAlong the way, one thing I saw my dad do really well\/stepdad do really well is the way he loved my mom. \r\n\r\nAnd then, he\u2014because he was on his own for a few years\u2014he learned to do everything on his own: so he cooked; did laundry; took care of the house, the car, the yard, and vacuumed. There was no job that was beneath him; there was no job that was a woman's job. There was no job that was \u201cfor her to do and not for me to do.\u201d He did everything. \r\n\r\nAnd I remember\u2014I mean, that affects me, now, looking back and seeing\u2014\u201cOkay, there's not stuff that Kristen does;\u201d\u2014my wife\u2014\"and there's stuff that I do. There's stuff that we do.\u201d She might do it more often than me; because I have a full-time job, where I get paid. She's a stay-at-home mom, who works part-time; but we do things together. And so I learned a lot from my stepdad in that there's work that takes place in a home, and you both do it. \r\n\r\nAnd I love that mentality that I grew up with\u2014we don't need to get into all the whole theological debate of complimentary, egalitarian, and all that\u2014I still believe I'm the leader of our home, but we split up the job; it's our work to do together. So I'm very thankful for that. \r\n\r\nAnd then I think where the light bulb came on was when I became a follower of Jesus. I looked back, and I said, \u201cThey messed up at times, and they didn't do things perfectly. I really do believe they loved us. My mom loves us; my stepdad loved us. They did the best that they could in spite of the challenges of my stepdad\u2014had two new sons to love and to raise\u2014and he still had a biological son and still had two biological daughters.\u201d \r\n\r\nHe had the challenges of navigating co-parenting with his ex, who was really, really difficult at times. And he was dealing with the hurts from his three biological children, because mom and dad got divorced. And so when I look back, I am just so much more sympathetic and empathetic to the challenges that they walked through. They didn't do it perfect; I don't do it perfect, and so I could show some grace, and really be grateful, and not just focus on all the things that they did incorrectly or could have done better. I think they really did do the best they could.\r\n\r\nRon: You mentioned his kids. I'm curious: \u201cHow was your step-sibling relationship? Were they around your age? How'd that connection go?\u201d\r\n\r\nScott:Yes, they're all a little bit older. So my brother's three years younger than me; and then, my step-siblings are probably anywhere from five to fifteen years older. And so we never grew up in the same home; they lived with their mom. And then, my stepbrother was already out of the house by the time they got divorced\u2014but my stepdad and his first wife\u2014so we never lived in the same home together. We spent time together on holidays, and that's it. \r\n\r\nI would not say we've ever been close. And then, I moved away to go to college when I was 18. I've been away\u2014far away from New Jersey\u2014for 32 years now. And so we'll still keep up on social media; we'll still text. And they're great\u2014there's no animosity\u2014no broken relationship or frustration. I would just say we don't have a really deep relationship with each other; but again, I'm so grateful for who they are and for the relationship we have. It's just not a really deep relationship. I know it could have been a whole lot worse, and I'm thankful just for who they are and the relationships we have.\r\n\r\nRon: As I'm listening to you, I'm thinking, \u201cWe've had a number of people write into our ministry, and say, \u2018Okay, we've got adult children [and] young adult children. They don't spend a lot of time together. We really want them to think of each other as family. What can we do to fix all that?\u2019\u201d I always tell them, \u201cWell, first off, it's not up to you. They have to find their authentic, genuine connections. And some of them will have more interest in developing those relationships than others.\u201d\r\n\r\nBut as somebody who's walked that path, what would you say to a parent, who's anxious about it for the stepchildren and step-siblings?\r\n\r\nScott: Yeah, that's a great question. I would say almost exactly what you said, Ron, that you can't force it. You can't make us have a relationship with them. We all have our own lives\u2014we're busy\u2014and again, we were older. It's not like we grew up in the same home together; I think that brings some additional challenges and opportunities that we didn't have. And I'm okay with the level of relationship we have\u2014we\u2019re thousands of miles apart\u2014it would be difficult to maintain a really strong relationship, and so I don't have any heartache over that. \r\n\r\nAnd every family's going to be different on what the dynamics look like\u2014how much time they get together\u2014but I know they definitely could not force it to happen, especially given where we all live geographically now.\r\n\r\n[Studio]\r\n\r\nDave:Well, we've been listening to a portion of the Family Life Blended podcast with Scott Kedersha and Ron Deal. Ron is now joining us in the studio. So Ron, first of all, let me say this: \u201cLike all parents, Scott's stepdad didn't do everything right; but he did do some things right.\u201d\r\n\r\nRon: Yes, he did. And he left a lasting impression in Scott's life, because he worked hard to connect. And that's our little rule of thumb, right?\u2014\u201cConnect before you correct,\u201d\u2014that's really important for stepparents, especially in the beginning. And he did that, and it made a big difference in who Scott is today.\r\n\r\nAnn: Well, what about Scott's comment, Ron\u2014just when he said, \u201cLooking back, his parents did the best they could,\u201d\u2014is that a good thing for us to do?\r\n\r\nRon: Yeah, I do think it is. I think all of us have to\u2014well, you guys said it at the top [of the broadcast]\u2014we have to grow up to a place, where we reflect back on our childhoods, and process it in light of who we are, now, as an adult. And oftentimes\u2014I don\u2019t know about you guys\u2014but that, for me, really happened when I started having children. Now, I'm thinking about my role as a dad; that makes me think about my dad. That's a good season of life, where we look back, and consider and think about and process. \r\n\r\nThe difficulties of our childhoods, I think, really come into light at that point; because now, we're trying to make decisions about: \u201cWhat am I going to pass on to my kids? Am I going to repeat that same stuff, or what am I going to let go of?\u201d I think that's really important. We get intentional about keeping the good and trying to not repeat what's not so good. \r\n\r\nI do want to add this\u2014I think, sometimes, the looking back: \u201cDid my parents do the best they could?\u201d\u2014for some people, that's making an excuse. It's sort of like their defenses are up, and they just don't want to face some of the painful things that happened to them in their childhood\u2014and so [they feel] they're giving their parents an out. And this is not so much about letting your parents off the hook; this is about: \u201cAre you wrestling with the things that are difficult and hard in your life?\u2014the things that maybe you need to bring some forgiveness to in the things that are painful?\u201d And if you're just going to write it off, and pretend as if that didn't happen, well, then, you're really not going to process it well. And here's the irony: I think you're more likely to repeat it with your own children.\r\n\r\nAnn: Give us an example of that, Ron.\r\n\r\nRon: Quick-temper: that's one I wrestled with when I started having children. All of a sudden, I look back, and I go: \u201cYeah, my dad had a quick temper,\u201d and \u201cHe could come out strong, and how did I feel?\u201d And then, you kind of go, \u201cYeah; well, that made me feel small and inadequate.\u201d And that's something I've held onto for a long time. I'm still working on that one, right now, in my life, as a matter of fact: \u201cSo am I going to repeat this with my kids?\u201d \u201cNope; I don't want to. I better get a handle on that temper. I better go to work on me.\u201d \r\n\r\nSo it's partly\u2014looking back\u2014it's not all about blaming them and sending all this negative thoughts towards your parents. It's not that at all. It's more about: \u201cWhat am I carrying forward?\u201d and \u201cWhat do I do about it?\u201d\r\n\r\nDave:Yeah, and I think one of the ways you heal, as a son or daughter, is to communicate\/to talk about it. I don't know if you've ever heard us share the story, Ron; but my dad, the first few months after we got married comes to our house. We're in our 20s; we have dinner. We sit down in our little tiny apartment. Ann looks across at him, and says, \u201cHey, we've heard Dave's mom's perspective on the divorce. We've never heard yours. How do you remember that?\u201d And I'm sitting there\u2014I, literally, grab Ann's knee\u2014because we have never, not one time, talked about this\u2014\r\n\r\nAnn: \u2014as your family.\r\n\r\nDave:\u2014ever. It's not allowed; we had an unwritten rule: \u201cYou just keep quiet.\u201d And so I'm grabbing Ann, like: \u201cYou don't ask my dad that,\u201d and \u201cHe's going to hate that question; he's not even going to respond.\u201d \r\n\r\nAnd he looks over at us; he goes, \u201cWow; nobody's ever asked me.\u201d And so we had this conversation. I remember, as I listened to my dad, I felt empathy and compassion. It began a journey, I think for me, to forgive\u2014because like, \u201cOh, my goodness; I had no idea,\u201d\u2014because we never talked. And so there was some of that growing up, right there, just like: \u201cIt's a good thing to talk through those things to try to understand what your parents did right and did wrong.\u201d\r\n\r\nRon: \u2014especially since the point of view that we come to, as children, is often immature and not very complete. And we didn't know all the factors going into what was happening with our parents. And so putting some adult conversation, if I could call it that, on top of what you believed was true is really helpful and illuminating. Anybody, who's a parent, knows you go through all kinds of stuff. Your kids have no idea what you go through, and how you think about their life, and what you're going to do and not do. So processing our parents: it's good to add that to our thoughts.\r\n\r\nDave:Yeah; well, thanks Ron. That was a great conversation with Scott and a lot of learnings, even for us today. \r\n\r\nAnn: Yeah, for sure. Thanks, Ron. We appreciate all that you're doing.\r\n\r\nRon: Thank you. \r\n\r\nDave: Did today's episode hit home with you? I'll tell you what: we get it,\u2014\r\n\r\nAnn: \u2014 because raising kids can be hard. Sometimes, we have more questions than answers. So listen to what we did: we've pulled together some of our most helpful parenting pieces into one spot.\r\n\r\nDave:And you can grab your free copy, right now. Let me tell you how: go to FamilyLife.com\/ParentingHelp. Again, let me say that: FamilyLlife.com\/ParentingHelp; and you'll get some of the best stuff we have on parenting.\r\n\r\nShelby: I'm Shelby Abbott; and you've been listening to Dave and Ann Wilson, with Ron Deal, as he was talking with Scott Kedersha on FamilyLife Today. The Summit on Stepfamily Ministry is coming up very soon. It's from October 10th to the 11th, happening in Plano, Texas, right outside of Dallas. You can get your tickets right now by going to SummitOnStepfamilies.com. Join us for a few impactful days of excellent talks from the main stage, insightful breakouts, and networking opportunities with ministry leaders from across the nation. Again, you could head over to SummitOnStepfamilies.com to learn more. \r\n\r\nNow, coming up tomorrow, Dave and Ann Wilson are actually going to be interviewed themselves by Teresa Whiting, because the Wilsons were on her podcast to share their ten-year anniversary story. You don't want to miss that coming up tomorrow. On behalf of David Ann Wilson, I'm Shelby Abbott. We'll see you back next time for another edition of FamilyLife Today. \r\n\r\nFamilyLife Today is a donor-supported production of FamilyLife\u00ae, a Cru\u00ae Ministry. \r\n\r\nHelping you pursue the relationships that matter most.\r\n\r\nIf you\u2019ve benefited from the FamilyLife Today transcripts, would you consider donating today to help defray the costs of producing them and making them available online?  \r\n\r\nCopyright \u00a9 2024 FamilyLife. All rights reserved.\r\n\r\nwww.FamilyLife.com                                 \r\n\r\n\n"],"transcript_url":["https:\/\/transcript.familylife.com\/fl2024-10-02.pdf"],"_edit_lock":["1729784279:47000"],"_edit_last":["47000"],"theme_header_position":["Sticky"],"post_header_is_sticky":["default"],"is_header_overlay":["0"],"episode_type":["audio"],"date_recorded":["2024-10-02 08:00:00"],"enclosure":["https:\/\/traffic.omny.fm\/d\/clips\/cbd16f10-ac60-4f09-b4df-b15400ce35aa\/33aaac7e-3581-4e21-a3df-b154011ba58c\/57ebc3db-dd8e-4ac1-8410-b1ed011e113a\/audio.mp3"],"_seopress_redirections_type":["301"],"_seopress_redirections_logged_status":["both"],"_seopress_analysis_target_kw":[""],"_uag_css_file_name":["uag-css-298480.css"],"_uag_js_file_name":["uag-js-298480.js"],"_uag_page_assets":["a:9:{s:3:\"css\";s:82560:\".wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-e11dbe9f .uagb-container__shape-top svg{width: calc( 100% + 1.3px );}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-e11dbe9f .uagb-container__shape.uagb-container__shape-top .uagb-container__shape-fill{fill: rgba(51,51,51,1);}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-e11dbe9f .uagb-container__shape-bottom svg{width: calc( 100% + 1.3px );}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-e11dbe9f .uagb-container__shape.uagb-container__shape-bottom .uagb-container__shape-fill{fill: rgba(51,51,51,1);}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-e11dbe9f .uagb-container__video-wrap video{opacity: 1;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container .uagb-block-e11dbe9f{max-width: 100%;width: 100%;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container.alignfull.uagb-block-e11dbe9f > .uagb-container-inner-blocks-wrap{--inner-content-custom-width: min( 100%, 1320px);max-width: var(--inner-content-custom-width);width: 100%;flex-direction: column;align-items: center;justify-content: center;flex-wrap: nowrap;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-e11dbe9f{box-shadow: 0px 0px   #00000070 ;padding-top: 3em;padding-bottom: 3em;padding-left: 1.5em;padding-right: 1.5em;margin-top:  !important;margin-bottom:  !important;overflow: visible;order: initial;border-color: inherit;background-color: #f8f8f8;;}@media only screen and (max-width: 976px) {.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container .uagb-block-e11dbe9f{width: 100%;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container.alignfull.uagb-block-e11dbe9f > .uagb-container-inner-blocks-wrap{--inner-content-custom-width: min( 100%, 1024px);max-width: var(--inner-content-custom-width);width: 100%;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-e11dbe9f{padding-top: 3px;padding-bottom: 3px;padding-left: 1.5px;padding-right: 1.5px;margin-top:  !important;margin-bottom:  !important;order: initial;background-color: #f8f8f8;;}}@media only screen and (max-width: 767px) {.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container .uagb-block-e11dbe9f{max-width: 100%;width: 100%;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container.alignfull.uagb-block-e11dbe9f > .uagb-container-inner-blocks-wrap{--inner-content-custom-width: min( 100%, 767px);max-width: var(--inner-content-custom-width);width: 100%;flex-wrap: wrap;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-e11dbe9f{padding-top: 3px;padding-bottom: 3px;padding-left: 1.5px;padding-right: 1.5px;margin-top:  !important;margin-bottom:  !important;order: initial;background-color: #f8f8f8;;}}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-85559158 .uagb-container__shape-top svg{width: calc( 100% + 1.3px );}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-85559158 .uagb-container__shape.uagb-container__shape-top .uagb-container__shape-fill{fill: rgba(51,51,51,1);}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-85559158 .uagb-container__shape-bottom svg{width: calc( 100% + 1.3px );}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-85559158 .uagb-container__shape.uagb-container__shape-bottom .uagb-container__shape-fill{fill: rgba(51,51,51,1);}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-85559158 .uagb-container__video-wrap video{opacity: 1;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container .uagb-block-85559158{max-width: 100%;width: 100%;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container.alignfull.uagb-block-85559158 > .uagb-container-inner-blocks-wrap{--inner-content-custom-width: min( 100%, 960px);max-width: var(--inner-content-custom-width);width: 100%;flex-direction: column;align-items: center;justify-content: center;flex-wrap: nowrap;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-85559158{box-shadow: 0px 0px   #00000070 ;padding-top: 0px;padding-bottom: 0px;padding-left: 10px;padding-right: 10px;margin-top: 60px !important;margin-bottom: 60px !important;margin-left: 0px;margin-right: 0px;overflow: visible;order: initial;border-color: inherit;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-ea16301a .uagb-container__shape-top svg{width: calc( 100% + 1.3px );}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-ea16301a .uagb-container__shape.uagb-container__shape-top .uagb-container__shape-fill{fill: rgba(51,51,51,1);}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-ea16301a .uagb-container__shape-bottom svg{width: calc( 100% + 1.3px );}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-ea16301a .uagb-container__shape.uagb-container__shape-bottom .uagb-container__shape-fill{fill: rgba(51,51,51,1);}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-ea16301a .uagb-container__video-wrap video{opacity: 1;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container .uagb-block-ea16301a{max-width: 100%;width: 100%;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container.alignfull.uagb-block-ea16301a > .uagb-container-inner-blocks-wrap{--inner-content-custom-width: min( 100%, 1320px);max-width: var(--inner-content-custom-width);width: 100%;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-ea16301a.uagb-layout-grid > .uagb-container-inner-blocks-wrap{row-gap: 40px;column-gap: 40px;grid-template-columns: minmax( 1px, 1fr)  minmax( 1px, 1fr) ;grid-template-rows: minmax( 1px, 1fr) ;align-items: start;justify-items: stretch;align-content: stretch;justify-content: stretch;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-ea16301a{box-shadow: 0px 0px   #00000070 ;padding-top: 0px;padding-bottom: 0px;padding-left: 0px;padding-right: 0px;margin-top:  !important;margin-bottom:  !important;overflow: visible;order: initial;border-color: inherit;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-ea16301a.wp-block-uagb-container > *:not( .wp-block-uagb-column ):not( .wp-block-uagb-section ):not( .uagb-container__shape ):not( .uagb-container__video-wrap ):not( .uagb-slider-container ):not( .spectra-container-link-overlay ):not(.spectra-image-gallery__control-lightbox):not(.wp-block-uagb-lottie):not(.uagb-container-inner-blocks-wrap){width: auto !important;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-ea16301a.wp-block-uagb-container > .uagb-container-inner-blocks-wrap > *:not( .wp-block-uagb-column ):not( .wp-block-uagb-section ):not( .uagb-container__shape ):not( .uagb-container__video-wrap ):not( .uagb-slider-container ):not(.spectra-image-gallery__control-lightbox){width: auto !important;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-26ccc5c9 .uagb-container__shape-top svg{width: calc( 100% + 1.3px );}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-26ccc5c9 .uagb-container__shape.uagb-container__shape-top .uagb-container__shape-fill{fill: rgba(51,51,51,1);}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-26ccc5c9 .uagb-container__shape-bottom svg{width: calc( 100% + 1.3px );}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-26ccc5c9 .uagb-container__shape.uagb-container__shape-bottom .uagb-container__shape-fill{fill: rgba(51,51,51,1);}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-26ccc5c9 .uagb-container__video-wrap video{opacity: 1;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container .uagb-block-26ccc5c9{max-width: 100%;width: 100%;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container.alignfull.uagb-block-26ccc5c9 > .uagb-container-inner-blocks-wrap{--inner-content-custom-width: min( 100%, 1320px);max-width: var(--inner-content-custom-width);width: 100%;flex-direction: column;align-items: center;justify-content: flex-start;flex-wrap: nowrap;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-26ccc5c9{min-height: 710px;box-shadow: 3px 7px 7px -1px rgba(0,0,0,0.15) ;margin-top:  !important;margin-bottom:  !important;overflow: visible;order: initial;border-color: inherit;background-color: #ffffff;;flex-direction: column;align-items: center;justify-content: flex-start;flex-wrap: nowrap;align-self: start;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-84f50fa3 .uagb-container__shape-top svg{width: calc( 100% + 1.3px );}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-84f50fa3 .uagb-container__shape.uagb-container__shape-top .uagb-container__shape-fill{fill: rgba(51,51,51,1);}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-84f50fa3 .uagb-container__shape-bottom svg{width: calc( 100% + 1.3px );}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-84f50fa3 .uagb-container__shape.uagb-container__shape-bottom .uagb-container__shape-fill{fill: rgba(51,51,51,1);}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-84f50fa3 .uagb-container__video-wrap video{opacity: 1;background: url(https:\/\/wp-stage.familylife.com\/www\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1001\/2024\/07\/Grow-with-your-family_545x307.jpg) 50% 50%;;background-size: cover;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container .uagb-block-84f50fa3{max-width: 100vw;width: 100%;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container.alignfull.uagb-block-84f50fa3 > .uagb-container-inner-blocks-wrap{--inner-content-custom-width: min( 100%, 1320px);max-width: var(--inner-content-custom-width);width: 100%;flex-direction: column;align-items: center;justify-content: center;flex-wrap: nowrap;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-84f50fa3{min-height: 250px;box-shadow: 0px 0px   #00000070 ;margin-top:  !important;margin-bottom:  !important;overflow: visible;order: initial;border-color: inherit;background-repeat: no-repeat;background-position: 50% 50%;background-size: cover;background-attachment: scroll;background-image: url(https:\/\/wp-stage.familylife.com\/www\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1001\/2025\/03\/Grow-with-your-family_545x307.webp);background-clip: padding-box;flex-direction: column;align-items: center;justify-content: center;flex-wrap: nowrap;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-271bf38d .uagb-container__shape-top svg{width: calc( 100% + 1.3px );}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-271bf38d .uagb-container__shape.uagb-container__shape-top .uagb-container__shape-fill{fill: rgba(51,51,51,1);}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-271bf38d .uagb-container__shape-bottom svg{width: calc( 100% + 1.3px );}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-271bf38d .uagb-container__shape.uagb-container__shape-bottom .uagb-container__shape-fill{fill: rgba(51,51,51,1);}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-271bf38d .uagb-container__video-wrap video{opacity: 1;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container .uagb-block-271bf38d{max-width: 100%;width: 100%;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container.alignfull.uagb-block-271bf38d > .uagb-container-inner-blocks-wrap{--inner-content-custom-width: min( 100%, 1320px);max-width: var(--inner-content-custom-width);width: 100%;flex-direction: column;align-items: center;justify-content: center;flex-wrap: nowrap;row-gap: 40px;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-271bf38d{box-shadow: 0px 0px   #00000070 ;padding-top: 20px;padding-bottom: 40px;padding-left: 40px;padding-right: 40px;margin-top:  !important;margin-bottom:  !important;overflow: visible;order: initial;border-color: inherit;flex-direction: column;align-items: center;justify-content: center;flex-wrap: nowrap;row-gap: 40px;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-ab8d0982 .uagb-container__shape-top svg{width: calc( 100% + 1.3px );}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-ab8d0982 .uagb-container__shape.uagb-container__shape-top .uagb-container__shape-fill{fill: rgba(51,51,51,1);}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-ab8d0982 .uagb-container__shape-bottom svg{width: calc( 100% + 1.3px );}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-ab8d0982 .uagb-container__shape.uagb-container__shape-bottom .uagb-container__shape-fill{fill: rgba(51,51,51,1);}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-ab8d0982 .uagb-container__video-wrap video{opacity: 1;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container .uagb-block-ab8d0982{max-width: 100%;width: 100%;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container.alignfull.uagb-block-ab8d0982 > .uagb-container-inner-blocks-wrap{--inner-content-custom-width: min( 100%, 1320px);max-width: var(--inner-content-custom-width);width: 100%;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-ab8d0982.uagb-layout-grid{row-gap: 8px;column-gap: 8px;grid-template-columns: auto  minmax( 1px, 1fr) ;grid-template-rows: minmax( 1px, 1fr) ;align-items: stretch;justify-items: stretch;align-content: stretch;justify-content: stretch;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-ab8d0982{box-shadow: 0px 0px   #00000070 ;margin-top:  !important;margin-bottom:  !important;overflow: visible;order: initial;border-color: inherit;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-ab8d0982.wp-block-uagb-container > *:not( .wp-block-uagb-column ):not( .wp-block-uagb-section ):not( .uagb-container__shape ):not( .uagb-container__video-wrap ):not( .uagb-slider-container ):not( .spectra-container-link-overlay ):not(.spectra-image-gallery__control-lightbox):not(.wp-block-uagb-lottie):not(.uagb-container-inner-blocks-wrap){width: auto !important;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-ab8d0982.wp-block-uagb-container > .uagb-container-inner-blocks-wrap > *:not( .wp-block-uagb-column ):not( .wp-block-uagb-section ):not( .uagb-container__shape ):not( .uagb-container__video-wrap ):not( .uagb-slider-container ):not(.spectra-image-gallery__control-lightbox){width: auto !important;}.wp-block-uagb-advanced-heading.uagb-block-d4c1a7e3.wp-block-uagb-advanced-heading .uagb-heading-text{color: #25282a;}.wp-block-uagb-advanced-heading.uagb-block-d4c1a7e3.wp-block-uagb-advanced-heading .uagb-desc-text{margin-bottom: 15px;}.wp-block-uagb-advanced-heading.uagb-block-d4c1a7e3.wp-block-uagb-advanced-heading .uagb-highlight{font-style: normal;font-weight: Default;background: #007cba;color: #fff;-webkit-text-fill-color: #fff;}.wp-block-uagb-advanced-heading.uagb-block-d4c1a7e3.wp-block-uagb-advanced-heading .uagb-highlight::-moz-selection{color: #fff;background: #007cba;-webkit-text-fill-color: #fff;}.wp-block-uagb-advanced-heading.uagb-block-d4c1a7e3.wp-block-uagb-advanced-heading .uagb-highlight::selection{color: #fff;background: #007cba;-webkit-text-fill-color: #fff;}.wp-block-uagb-advanced-heading.uagb-block-d4c1a7e3 .uagb-heading-text{font-weight: 300;font-size: 16px;}.uagb-block-f9d54988.wp-block-uagb-separator{text-align: left;}.uagb-block-f9d54988.wp-block-uagb-separator--text .wp-block-uagb-separator-element .uagb-html-tag{font-style: normal;line-height: 1em;}.uagb-block-f9d54988 .uagb-separator-spacing-wrapper{padding-top: 4px;padding-bottom: 4px;}.uagb-block-f9d54988.wp-block-uagb-separator:not(.wp-block-uagb-separator--text):not(.wp-block-uagb-separator--icon) .wp-block-uagb-separator__inner{-webkit-mask-size: 5px 100%;border-top-width: 3px;width: 100%;border-top-color: #eabe5e;border-top-style: solid;margin-top: 5px;margin-bottom: 5px;}.wp-block-uagb-advanced-heading.uagb-block-3208cc36.wp-block-uagb-advanced-heading .uagb-heading-text{color: #006a5a;}.wp-block-uagb-advanced-heading.uagb-block-3208cc36.wp-block-uagb-advanced-heading .uagb-desc-text{margin-bottom: 15px;}.wp-block-uagb-advanced-heading.uagb-block-3208cc36.wp-block-uagb-advanced-heading .uagb-highlight{font-style: normal;font-weight: Default;background: #007cba;color: #fff;-webkit-text-fill-color: #fff;}.wp-block-uagb-advanced-heading.uagb-block-3208cc36.wp-block-uagb-advanced-heading .uagb-highlight::-moz-selection{color: #fff;background: #007cba;-webkit-text-fill-color: #fff;}.wp-block-uagb-advanced-heading.uagb-block-3208cc36.wp-block-uagb-advanced-heading .uagb-highlight::selection{color: #fff;background: #007cba;-webkit-text-fill-color: #fff;}.wp-block-uagb-advanced-heading.uagb-block-3208cc36 .uagb-heading-text{font-weight: 400;font-size: 26px;line-height: 1.2em;}.wp-block-uagb-icon-list.uagb-block-cbb8c5bd .uagb-icon-list__source-image{width: 18px;}.wp-block-uagb-icon-list.uagb-block-cbb8c5bd .wp-block-uagb-icon-list-child .uagb-icon-list__source-wrap svg{width: 18px;height: 18px;font-size: 18px;color: #1573a2;fill: #1573a2;}.wp-block-uagb-icon-list.uagb-block-cbb8c5bd .wp-block-uagb-icon-list-child .uagb-icon-list__source-wrap{padding: 0px;border-radius: 0px;border-width: 0px;align-self: center;}.wp-block-uagb-icon-list.uagb-block-cbb8c5bd .wp-block-uagb-icon-list-child .uagb-icon-list__label{font-size: 20px;text-decoration: !important;line-height: em;color: #1573a2;}.wp-block-uagb-icon-list.uagb-block-cbb8c5bd .uagb-icon-list__wrap{display: flex;flex-direction: column;justify-content: center;-webkit-box-pack: center;-ms-flex-pack: center;-webkit-box-align: flex-start;-ms-flex-align: flex-start;align-items: flex-start;padding-top: 0px;padding-right: 0px;padding-bottom: 0px;padding-left: 0px;}.wp-block-uagb-icon-list.uagb-block-cbb8c5bd .uagb-icon-list__label{text-align: left;}.wp-block-uagb-icon-list.uagb-block-cbb8c5bd .wp-block-uagb-icon-list-child{text-decoration: !important;font-size: 20px;line-height: em;}.wp-block-uagb-icon-list.uagb-block-cbb8c5bd.wp-block-uagb-icon-list .wp-block-uagb-icon-list-child{margin-left: 0;margin-right: 0;margin-bottom: 24px;}.wp-block-uagb-icon-list.uagb-block-cbb8c5bd .uagb-icon-list__source-wrap{margin-left: 15px;}.wp-block-uagb-icon-list.uagb-block-cbb8c5bd .wp-block-uagb-icon-list-child {flex-direction: row-reverse;}.uagb-block-fdd052c2.wp-block-uagb-icon-list-child .uagb-icon-list__source-wrap{background:  !important;border-color:  !important;}.uagb-block-fdd052c2.wp-block-uagb-icon-list-child:hover .uagb-icon-list__source-wrap{background:  !important;border-color:  !important;}.uagb-block-679dc0da.wp-block-uagb-icon-list-child .uagb-icon-list__source-wrap{background:  !important;border-color:  !important;}.uagb-block-679dc0da.wp-block-uagb-icon-list-child:hover .uagb-icon-list__source-wrap{background:  !important;border-color:  !important;}.uagb-block-fbb8dca6.wp-block-uagb-icon-list-child .uagb-icon-list__source-wrap{background:  !important;border-color:  !important;}.uagb-block-fbb8dca6.wp-block-uagb-icon-list-child:hover .uagb-icon-list__source-wrap{background:  !important;border-color:  !important;}.uagb-block-b5e9a44d.wp-block-uagb-icon-list-child .uagb-icon-list__source-wrap{background:  !important;border-color:  !important;}.uagb-block-b5e9a44d.wp-block-uagb-icon-list-child:hover .uagb-icon-list__source-wrap{background:  !important;border-color:  !important;}.uagb-block-10525170.wp-block-uagb-icon-list-child .uagb-icon-list__source-wrap{background:  !important;border-color:  !important;}.uagb-block-10525170.wp-block-uagb-icon-list-child:hover .uagb-icon-list__source-wrap{background:  !important;border-color:  !important;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-48a597f8 .uagb-container__shape-top svg{width: calc( 100% + 1.3px );}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-48a597f8 .uagb-container__shape.uagb-container__shape-top .uagb-container__shape-fill{fill: rgba(51,51,51,1);}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-48a597f8 .uagb-container__shape-bottom svg{width: calc( 100% + 1.3px );}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-48a597f8 .uagb-container__shape.uagb-container__shape-bottom .uagb-container__shape-fill{fill: rgba(51,51,51,1);}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-48a597f8 .uagb-container__video-wrap video{opacity: 1;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container .uagb-block-48a597f8{max-width: 100%;width: 100%;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container.alignfull.uagb-block-48a597f8 > .uagb-container-inner-blocks-wrap{--inner-content-custom-width: min( 100%, 1320px);max-width: var(--inner-content-custom-width);width: 100%;flex-direction: column;align-items: center;justify-content: flex-start;flex-wrap: nowrap;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-48a597f8{min-height: 710px;box-shadow: 3px 7px 7px -1px rgba(0,0,0,0.15) ;margin-top:  !important;margin-bottom:  !important;overflow: visible;order: initial;border-color: inherit;background-color: #ffffff;;flex-direction: column;align-items: center;justify-content: flex-start;flex-wrap: nowrap;align-self: start;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-22a41c70 .uagb-container__shape-top svg{width: calc( 100% + 1.3px );}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-22a41c70 .uagb-container__shape.uagb-container__shape-top .uagb-container__shape-fill{fill: rgba(51,51,51,1);}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-22a41c70 .uagb-container__shape-bottom svg{width: calc( 100% + 1.3px );}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-22a41c70 .uagb-container__shape.uagb-container__shape-bottom .uagb-container__shape-fill{fill: rgba(51,51,51,1);}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-22a41c70 .uagb-container__video-wrap video{opacity: 1;background: url(https:\/\/wp-stage.familylife.com\/www\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1001\/2024\/07\/Grow-with-your-family_545x307.jpg) 50% 50%;;background-size: cover;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container .uagb-block-22a41c70{max-width: 100vw;width: 100%;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container.alignfull.uagb-block-22a41c70 > .uagb-container-inner-blocks-wrap{--inner-content-custom-width: min( 100%, 1320px);max-width: var(--inner-content-custom-width);width: 100%;flex-direction: column;align-items: center;justify-content: center;flex-wrap: nowrap;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-22a41c70{min-height: 250px;box-shadow: 0px 0px   #00000070 ;margin-top:  !important;margin-bottom:  !important;overflow: visible;order: initial;border-color: inherit;background-repeat: no-repeat;background-position: 50% 50%;background-size: cover;background-attachment: scroll;background-image: url(https:\/\/wp-stage.familylife.com\/www\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1001\/2025\/03\/HelpFamiliesGrow2.webp);background-clip: padding-box;flex-direction: column;align-items: center;justify-content: center;flex-wrap: nowrap;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-562935bf .uagb-container__shape-top svg{width: calc( 100% + 1.3px );}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-562935bf .uagb-container__shape.uagb-container__shape-top .uagb-container__shape-fill{fill: rgba(51,51,51,1);}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-562935bf .uagb-container__shape-bottom svg{width: calc( 100% + 1.3px );}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-562935bf .uagb-container__shape.uagb-container__shape-bottom .uagb-container__shape-fill{fill: rgba(51,51,51,1);}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-562935bf .uagb-container__video-wrap video{opacity: 1;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container .uagb-block-562935bf{max-width: 100%;width: 100%;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container.alignfull.uagb-block-562935bf > .uagb-container-inner-blocks-wrap{--inner-content-custom-width: min( 100%, 1320px);max-width: var(--inner-content-custom-width);width: 100%;flex-direction: column;align-items: center;justify-content: center;flex-wrap: nowrap;row-gap: 40px;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-562935bf{box-shadow: 0px 0px   #00000070 ;padding-top: 20px;padding-bottom: 40px;padding-left: 40px;padding-right: 40px;margin-top:  !important;margin-bottom:  !important;overflow: visible;order: initial;border-color: inherit;flex-direction: column;align-items: center;justify-content: center;flex-wrap: nowrap;row-gap: 40px;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-5a1442f2 .uagb-container__shape-top svg{width: calc( 100% + 1.3px );}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-5a1442f2 .uagb-container__shape.uagb-container__shape-top .uagb-container__shape-fill{fill: rgba(51,51,51,1);}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-5a1442f2 .uagb-container__shape-bottom svg{width: calc( 100% + 1.3px );}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-5a1442f2 .uagb-container__shape.uagb-container__shape-bottom .uagb-container__shape-fill{fill: rgba(51,51,51,1);}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-5a1442f2 .uagb-container__video-wrap video{opacity: 1;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container .uagb-block-5a1442f2{max-width: 100%;width: 100%;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container.alignfull.uagb-block-5a1442f2 > .uagb-container-inner-blocks-wrap{--inner-content-custom-width: min( 100%, 1320px);max-width: var(--inner-content-custom-width);width: 100%;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-5a1442f2.uagb-layout-grid{row-gap: 8px;column-gap: 8px;grid-template-columns: auto  minmax( 1px, 1fr) ;grid-template-rows: minmax( 1px, 1fr) ;align-items: stretch;justify-items: stretch;align-content: stretch;justify-content: stretch;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-5a1442f2{box-shadow: 0px 0px   #00000070 ;margin-top:  !important;margin-bottom:  !important;overflow: visible;order: initial;border-color: inherit;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-5a1442f2.wp-block-uagb-container > *:not( .wp-block-uagb-column ):not( .wp-block-uagb-section ):not( .uagb-container__shape ):not( .uagb-container__video-wrap ):not( .uagb-slider-container ):not( .spectra-container-link-overlay ):not(.spectra-image-gallery__control-lightbox):not(.wp-block-uagb-lottie):not(.uagb-container-inner-blocks-wrap){width: auto !important;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-5a1442f2.wp-block-uagb-container > .uagb-container-inner-blocks-wrap > *:not( .wp-block-uagb-column ):not( .wp-block-uagb-section ):not( .uagb-container__shape ):not( .uagb-container__video-wrap ):not( .uagb-slider-container ):not(.spectra-image-gallery__control-lightbox){width: auto !important;}.wp-block-uagb-advanced-heading.uagb-block-d9c0200f.wp-block-uagb-advanced-heading .uagb-heading-text{color: #25282a;}.wp-block-uagb-advanced-heading.uagb-block-d9c0200f.wp-block-uagb-advanced-heading .uagb-desc-text{margin-bottom: 15px;}.wp-block-uagb-advanced-heading.uagb-block-d9c0200f.wp-block-uagb-advanced-heading .uagb-highlight{font-style: normal;font-weight: Default;background: #007cba;color: #fff;-webkit-text-fill-color: #fff;}.wp-block-uagb-advanced-heading.uagb-block-d9c0200f.wp-block-uagb-advanced-heading .uagb-highlight::-moz-selection{color: #fff;background: #007cba;-webkit-text-fill-color: #fff;}.wp-block-uagb-advanced-heading.uagb-block-d9c0200f.wp-block-uagb-advanced-heading .uagb-highlight::selection{color: #fff;background: #007cba;-webkit-text-fill-color: #fff;}.wp-block-uagb-advanced-heading.uagb-block-d9c0200f .uagb-heading-text{font-weight: 300;font-size: 16px;}.uagb-block-aa17f10e.wp-block-uagb-separator{text-align: left;}.uagb-block-aa17f10e.wp-block-uagb-separator--text .wp-block-uagb-separator-element .uagb-html-tag{font-style: normal;line-height: 1em;}.uagb-block-aa17f10e .uagb-separator-spacing-wrapper{padding-top: 4px;padding-bottom: 4px;}.uagb-block-aa17f10e.wp-block-uagb-separator:not(.wp-block-uagb-separator--text):not(.wp-block-uagb-separator--icon) .wp-block-uagb-separator__inner{-webkit-mask-size: 5px 100%;border-top-width: 3px;width: 100%;border-top-color: #eabe5e;border-top-style: solid;margin-top: 5px;margin-bottom: 5px;}.wp-block-uagb-advanced-heading.uagb-block-31f155e3.wp-block-uagb-advanced-heading .uagb-heading-text{color: #006a5a;}.wp-block-uagb-advanced-heading.uagb-block-31f155e3.wp-block-uagb-advanced-heading .uagb-desc-text{margin-bottom: 15px;}.wp-block-uagb-advanced-heading.uagb-block-31f155e3.wp-block-uagb-advanced-heading .uagb-highlight{font-style: normal;font-weight: Default;background: #007cba;color: #fff;-webkit-text-fill-color: #fff;}.wp-block-uagb-advanced-heading.uagb-block-31f155e3.wp-block-uagb-advanced-heading .uagb-highlight::-moz-selection{color: #fff;background: #007cba;-webkit-text-fill-color: #fff;}.wp-block-uagb-advanced-heading.uagb-block-31f155e3.wp-block-uagb-advanced-heading .uagb-highlight::selection{color: #fff;background: #007cba;-webkit-text-fill-color: #fff;}.wp-block-uagb-advanced-heading.uagb-block-31f155e3 .uagb-heading-text{font-weight: 400;font-size: 26px;line-height: 1.2em;}.wp-block-uagb-icon-list.uagb-block-ced20c64 .uagb-icon-list__source-image{width: 18px;}.wp-block-uagb-icon-list.uagb-block-ced20c64 .wp-block-uagb-icon-list-child .uagb-icon-list__source-wrap svg{width: 18px;height: 18px;font-size: 18px;color: #1573a2;fill: #1573a2;}.wp-block-uagb-icon-list.uagb-block-ced20c64 .wp-block-uagb-icon-list-child .uagb-icon-list__source-wrap{padding: 0px;border-radius: 0px;border-width: 0px;align-self: center;}.wp-block-uagb-icon-list.uagb-block-ced20c64 .wp-block-uagb-icon-list-child .uagb-icon-list__label{font-size: 20px;text-decoration: !important;line-height: em;color: #1573a2;}.wp-block-uagb-icon-list.uagb-block-ced20c64 .uagb-icon-list__wrap{display: flex;flex-direction: column;justify-content: center;-webkit-box-pack: center;-ms-flex-pack: center;-webkit-box-align: flex-start;-ms-flex-align: flex-start;align-items: flex-start;padding-top: 0px;padding-right: 0px;padding-bottom: 0px;padding-left: 0px;}.wp-block-uagb-icon-list.uagb-block-ced20c64 .uagb-icon-list__label{text-align: left;}.wp-block-uagb-icon-list.uagb-block-ced20c64 .wp-block-uagb-icon-list-child{text-decoration: !important;font-size: 20px;line-height: em;}.wp-block-uagb-icon-list.uagb-block-ced20c64.wp-block-uagb-icon-list .wp-block-uagb-icon-list-child{margin-left: 0;margin-right: 0;margin-bottom: 24px;}.wp-block-uagb-icon-list.uagb-block-ced20c64 .uagb-icon-list__source-wrap{margin-left: 15px;}.wp-block-uagb-icon-list.uagb-block-ced20c64 .wp-block-uagb-icon-list-child {flex-direction: row-reverse;}.uagb-block-83befcbf.wp-block-uagb-icon-list-child .uagb-icon-list__source-wrap{background:  !important;border-color:  !important;}.uagb-block-83befcbf.wp-block-uagb-icon-list-child:hover .uagb-icon-list__source-wrap{background:  !important;border-color:  !important;}.uagb-block-75d2f158.wp-block-uagb-icon-list-child .uagb-icon-list__source-wrap{background:  !important;border-color:  !important;}.uagb-block-75d2f158.wp-block-uagb-icon-list-child:hover .uagb-icon-list__source-wrap{background:  !important;border-color:  !important;}.uagb-block-0d14af90.wp-block-uagb-icon-list-child .uagb-icon-list__source-wrap{background:  !important;border-color:  !important;}.uagb-block-0d14af90.wp-block-uagb-icon-list-child:hover .uagb-icon-list__source-wrap{background:  !important;border-color:  !important;}.uagb-block-4dd6f9d3.wp-block-uagb-icon-list-child .uagb-icon-list__source-wrap{background:  !important;border-color:  !important;}.uagb-block-4dd6f9d3.wp-block-uagb-icon-list-child:hover .uagb-icon-list__source-wrap{background:  !important;border-color:  !important;}.uagb-block-28c58e21.wp-block-uagb-icon-list-child .uagb-icon-list__source-wrap{background:  !important;border-color:  !important;}.uagb-block-28c58e21.wp-block-uagb-icon-list-child:hover .uagb-icon-list__source-wrap{background:  !important;border-color:  !important;}@media only screen and (max-width: 976px) {.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container .uagb-block-85559158{width: 100%;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container.alignfull.uagb-block-85559158 > .uagb-container-inner-blocks-wrap{--inner-content-custom-width: min( 100%, 1024px);max-width: var(--inner-content-custom-width);width: 100%;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-85559158{padding-top: 0px;padding-bottom: 0px;padding-left: 10px;padding-right: 10px;margin-top: 60px !important;margin-bottom: 60px !important;margin-left: 0px;margin-right: 0px;order: initial;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container .uagb-block-ea16301a{width: 100%;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container.alignfull.uagb-block-ea16301a > .uagb-container-inner-blocks-wrap{--inner-content-custom-width: min( 100%, 1024px);max-width: var(--inner-content-custom-width);width: 100%;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-ea16301a.uagb-layout-grid > .uagb-container-inner-blocks-wrap{grid-template-columns: minmax( 1px, 1fr)  minmax( 1px, 1fr) ;grid-template-rows: minmax( 1px, 1fr) ;align-items: stretch;justify-items: stretch;align-content: stretch;justify-content: stretch;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-ea16301a{padding-top: 0px;padding-bottom: 0px;padding-left: 0px;padding-right: 0px;margin-top:  !important;margin-bottom:  !important;order: initial;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container .uagb-block-26ccc5c9{width: 100%;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container.alignfull.uagb-block-26ccc5c9 > .uagb-container-inner-blocks-wrap{--inner-content-custom-width: min( 100%, 1024px);max-width: var(--inner-content-custom-width);width: 100%;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-26ccc5c9{margin-top:  !important;margin-bottom:  !important;order: initial;background-color: #ffffff;;grid-column: span 1;grid-row: span 1;align-self: stretch;justify-self: stretch;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container .uagb-block-84f50fa3{width: 100%;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container.alignfull.uagb-block-84f50fa3 > .uagb-container-inner-blocks-wrap{--inner-content-custom-width: min( 100%, 1024px);max-width: var(--inner-content-custom-width);width: 100%;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-84f50fa3{margin-top:  !important;margin-bottom:  !important;order: initial;background-position: 54% 48%;background-size: cover;background-image: url(https:\/\/wp-stage.familylife.com\/www\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1001\/2025\/03\/Grow-with-your-family_545x307.webp);background-clip: padding-box;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container .uagb-block-271bf38d{width: 100%;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container.alignfull.uagb-block-271bf38d > .uagb-container-inner-blocks-wrap{--inner-content-custom-width: min( 100%, 1024px);max-width: var(--inner-content-custom-width);width: 100%;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-271bf38d{padding-top: 20px;padding-bottom: 40px;padding-left: 40px;padding-right: 40px;margin-top:  !important;margin-bottom:  !important;order: initial;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container .uagb-block-ab8d0982{width: 100%;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container.alignfull.uagb-block-ab8d0982 > .uagb-container-inner-blocks-wrap{--inner-content-custom-width: min( 100%, 1024px);max-width: var(--inner-content-custom-width);width: 100%;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-ab8d0982.uagb-layout-grid{grid-template-columns: minmax( 1px, 1fr) ;grid-template-rows: minmax( 1px, 1fr) ;align-items: stretch;justify-items: stretch;align-content: stretch;justify-content: stretch;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-ab8d0982{margin-top:  !important;margin-bottom:  !important;order: initial;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-ab8d0982.wp-block-uagb-container > *:not( .wp-block-uagb-column ):not( .wp-block-uagb-section ):not( .uagb-container__shape ):not( .uagb-container__video-wrap ):not( .uagb-slider-container ):not( .spectra-container-link-overlay ):not(.spectra-image-gallery__control-lightbox):not(.wp-block-uagb-lottie):not(.uagb-container-inner-blocks-wrap){width: 100%;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-ab8d0982.wp-block-uagb-container > .uagb-container-inner-blocks-wrap > *:not( .wp-block-uagb-column ):not( .wp-block-uagb-section ):not( .uagb-container__shape ):not( .uagb-container__video-wrap ):not( .uagb-slider-container ):not(.spectra-image-gallery__control-lightbox){width: 100%;}.wp-block-uagb-advanced-heading.uagb-block-d4c1a7e3 .uagb-heading-text{font-size: 12px;letter-spacing: 1px;}.uagb-block-f9d54988.wp-block-uagb-separator{text-align: center;}.uagb-block-f9d54988.wp-block-uagb-separator--text .wp-block-uagb-separator-element .uagb-html-tag{font-style: normal;margin-bottom: initial;line-height: 1em;}.uagb-block-f9d54988 .uagb-separator-spacing-wrapper{padding-top: 10px;padding-bottom: 10px;}.uagb-block-f9d54988.wp-block-uagb-separator:not(.wp-block-uagb-separator--text):not(.wp-block-uagb-separator--icon) .wp-block-uagb-separator__inner{-webkit-mask-size: 5px 100%;width: 100%;border-top-color: #eabe5e;border-top-style: solid;margin-top: 5px;margin-bottom: 5px;}.wp-block-uagb-icon-list.uagb-block-cbb8c5bd .uagb-icon-list__source-image{width: 18px;}.wp-block-uagb-icon-list.uagb-block-cbb8c5bd .wp-block-uagb-icon-list-child .uagb-icon-list__source-wrap svg{width: 18px;height: 18px;font-size: 18px;}.wp-block-uagb-icon-list.uagb-block-cbb8c5bd .wp-block-uagb-icon-list-child .uagb-icon-list__source-wrap {padding: 0px;border-width: 0px;align-self: center;}.wp-block-uagb-icon-list.uagb-block-cbb8c5bd .uagb-icon-list__wrap{display: flex;flex-direction: column;justify-content: center;-webkit-box-pack: center;-ms-flex-pack: center;-webkit-box-align: flex-start;-ms-flex-align: flex-start;align-items: flex-start;}.wp-block-uagb-icon-list.uagb-block-cbb8c5bd.wp-block-uagb-icon-list .wp-block-uagb-icon-list-child{margin-left: 0;margin-right: 0;margin-bottom: 24px;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container .uagb-block-48a597f8{width: 100%;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container.alignfull.uagb-block-48a597f8 > .uagb-container-inner-blocks-wrap{--inner-content-custom-width: min( 100%, 1024px);max-width: var(--inner-content-custom-width);width: 100%;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-48a597f8{margin-top:  !important;margin-bottom:  !important;order: initial;background-color: #ffffff;;grid-column: span 1;grid-row: span 1;align-self: stretch;justify-self: stretch;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container .uagb-block-22a41c70{width: 100%;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container.alignfull.uagb-block-22a41c70 > .uagb-container-inner-blocks-wrap{--inner-content-custom-width: min( 100%, 1024px);max-width: var(--inner-content-custom-width);width: 100%;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-22a41c70{margin-top:  !important;margin-bottom:  !important;order: initial;background-position: 54% 48%;background-size: cover;background-image: url(https:\/\/wp-stage.familylife.com\/www\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1001\/2025\/03\/HelpFamiliesGrow2.webp);background-clip: padding-box;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container .uagb-block-562935bf{width: 100%;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container.alignfull.uagb-block-562935bf > .uagb-container-inner-blocks-wrap{--inner-content-custom-width: min( 100%, 1024px);max-width: var(--inner-content-custom-width);width: 100%;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-562935bf{padding-top: 20px;padding-bottom: 40px;padding-left: 40px;padding-right: 40px;margin-top:  !important;margin-bottom:  !important;order: initial;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container .uagb-block-5a1442f2{width: 100%;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container.alignfull.uagb-block-5a1442f2 > .uagb-container-inner-blocks-wrap{--inner-content-custom-width: min( 100%, 1024px);max-width: var(--inner-content-custom-width);width: 100%;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-5a1442f2.uagb-layout-grid{grid-template-columns: minmax( 1px, 1fr) ;grid-template-rows: minmax( 1px, 1fr) ;align-items: stretch;justify-items: stretch;align-content: stretch;justify-content: stretch;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-5a1442f2{margin-top:  !important;margin-bottom:  !important;order: initial;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-5a1442f2.wp-block-uagb-container > *:not( .wp-block-uagb-column ):not( .wp-block-uagb-section ):not( .uagb-container__shape ):not( .uagb-container__video-wrap ):not( .uagb-slider-container ):not( .spectra-container-link-overlay ):not(.spectra-image-gallery__control-lightbox):not(.wp-block-uagb-lottie):not(.uagb-container-inner-blocks-wrap){width: 100%;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-5a1442f2.wp-block-uagb-container > .uagb-container-inner-blocks-wrap > *:not( .wp-block-uagb-column ):not( .wp-block-uagb-section ):not( .uagb-container__shape ):not( .uagb-container__video-wrap ):not( .uagb-slider-container ):not(.spectra-image-gallery__control-lightbox){width: 100%;}.wp-block-uagb-advanced-heading.uagb-block-d9c0200f .uagb-heading-text{font-size: 12px;letter-spacing: 1px;}.uagb-block-aa17f10e.wp-block-uagb-separator{text-align: center;}.uagb-block-aa17f10e.wp-block-uagb-separator--text .wp-block-uagb-separator-element .uagb-html-tag{font-style: normal;margin-bottom: initial;line-height: 1em;}.uagb-block-aa17f10e .uagb-separator-spacing-wrapper{padding-top: 10px;padding-bottom: 10px;}.uagb-block-aa17f10e.wp-block-uagb-separator:not(.wp-block-uagb-separator--text):not(.wp-block-uagb-separator--icon) .wp-block-uagb-separator__inner{-webkit-mask-size: 5px 100%;width: 100%;border-top-color: #eabe5e;border-top-style: solid;margin-top: 5px;margin-bottom: 5px;}.wp-block-uagb-icon-list.uagb-block-ced20c64 .uagb-icon-list__source-image{width: 18px;}.wp-block-uagb-icon-list.uagb-block-ced20c64 .wp-block-uagb-icon-list-child .uagb-icon-list__source-wrap svg{width: 18px;height: 18px;font-size: 18px;}.wp-block-uagb-icon-list.uagb-block-ced20c64 .wp-block-uagb-icon-list-child .uagb-icon-list__source-wrap {padding: 0px;border-width: 0px;align-self: center;}.wp-block-uagb-icon-list.uagb-block-ced20c64 .uagb-icon-list__wrap{display: flex;flex-direction: column;justify-content: center;-webkit-box-pack: center;-ms-flex-pack: center;-webkit-box-align: flex-start;-ms-flex-align: flex-start;align-items: flex-start;}.wp-block-uagb-icon-list.uagb-block-ced20c64.wp-block-uagb-icon-list .wp-block-uagb-icon-list-child{margin-left: 0;margin-right: 0;margin-bottom: 24px;}}@media only screen and (max-width: 767px) {.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container .uagb-block-85559158{max-width: 100%;width: 100%;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container.alignfull.uagb-block-85559158 > .uagb-container-inner-blocks-wrap{--inner-content-custom-width: min( 100%, 767px);max-width: var(--inner-content-custom-width);width: 100%;flex-wrap: wrap;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-85559158{padding-top: 0px;padding-bottom: 0px;padding-left: 10px;padding-right: 10px;margin-top: 60px !important;margin-bottom: 60px !important;margin-left: 0px;margin-right: 0px;order: initial;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container .uagb-block-ea16301a{max-width: 100%;width: 100%;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container.alignfull.uagb-block-ea16301a > .uagb-container-inner-blocks-wrap{--inner-content-custom-width: min( 100%, 767px);max-width: var(--inner-content-custom-width);width: 100%;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-ea16301a.uagb-layout-grid > .uagb-container-inner-blocks-wrap{grid-template-columns: minmax( 1px, 1fr) ;grid-template-rows: minmax( 1px, 1fr) ;align-items: stretch;justify-items: stretch;align-content: stretch;justify-content: stretch;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-ea16301a{padding-top: 0px;padding-bottom: 0px;padding-left: 0px;padding-right: 0px;margin-top:  !important;margin-bottom:  !important;order: initial;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container .uagb-block-26ccc5c9{max-width: 100%;width: 100%;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container.alignfull.uagb-block-26ccc5c9 > .uagb-container-inner-blocks-wrap{--inner-content-custom-width: min( 100%, 767px);max-width: var(--inner-content-custom-width);width: 100%;flex-wrap: wrap;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-26ccc5c9{padding-top: 0px;padding-bottom: 0px;padding-left: 0px;padding-right: 0px;margin-top: 0px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;margin-left: 0px;margin-right: 0px;order: initial;background-color: #ffffff;;flex-wrap: wrap;grid-column: span 1;grid-row: span 1;align-self: stretch;justify-self: stretch;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container .uagb-block-84f50fa3{max-width: 100%;width: 100%;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container.alignfull.uagb-block-84f50fa3 > .uagb-container-inner-blocks-wrap{--inner-content-custom-width: min( 100%, 767px);max-width: var(--inner-content-custom-width);width: 100%;flex-wrap: wrap;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-84f50fa3{margin-top:  !important;margin-bottom:  !important;order: initial;background-image: url(https:\/\/wp-stage.familylife.com\/www\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1001\/2025\/03\/Grow-with-your-family_545x307.webp);background-clip: padding-box;flex-wrap: wrap;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container .uagb-block-271bf38d{max-width: 100%;width: 100%;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container.alignfull.uagb-block-271bf38d > .uagb-container-inner-blocks-wrap{--inner-content-custom-width: min( 100%, 767px);max-width: var(--inner-content-custom-width);width: 100%;flex-wrap: wrap;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-271bf38d{padding-top: 20px;padding-bottom: 40px;padding-left: 40px;padding-right: 40px;margin-top:  !important;margin-bottom:  !important;order: initial;flex-wrap: wrap;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container .uagb-block-ab8d0982{max-width: 100%;width: 100%;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container.alignfull.uagb-block-ab8d0982 > .uagb-container-inner-blocks-wrap{--inner-content-custom-width: min( 100%, 767px);max-width: var(--inner-content-custom-width);width: 100%;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-ab8d0982.uagb-layout-grid{grid-template-columns: minmax( 1px, 1fr) ;grid-template-rows: minmax( 1px, 1fr) ;align-items: stretch;justify-items: stretch;align-content: stretch;justify-content: stretch;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-ab8d0982{margin-top:  !important;margin-bottom:  !important;order: initial;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-ab8d0982.wp-block-uagb-container > *:not( .wp-block-uagb-column ):not( .wp-block-uagb-section ):not( .uagb-container__shape ):not( .uagb-container__video-wrap ):not( .uagb-slider-container ):not( .spectra-container-link-overlay ):not(.spectra-image-gallery__control-lightbox):not(.wp-block-uagb-lottie):not(.uagb-container-inner-blocks-wrap){width: 100%;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-ab8d0982.wp-block-uagb-container > .uagb-container-inner-blocks-wrap > *:not( .wp-block-uagb-column ):not( .wp-block-uagb-section ):not( .uagb-container__shape ):not( .uagb-container__video-wrap ):not( .uagb-slider-container ):not(.spectra-image-gallery__control-lightbox){width: 100%;}.wp-block-uagb-advanced-heading.uagb-block-d4c1a7e3.wp-block-uagb-advanced-heading {padding-left: 40px;}.wp-block-uagb-advanced-heading.uagb-block-d4c1a7e3 .uagb-heading-text{letter-spacing: 4px;}.uagb-block-f9d54988.wp-block-uagb-separator{text-align: center;}.uagb-block-f9d54988.wp-block-uagb-separator--text .wp-block-uagb-separator-element .uagb-html-tag{font-style: normal;margin-bottom: initial;line-height: 1em;}.uagb-block-f9d54988 .uagb-separator-spacing-wrapper{padding-top: 10px;padding-bottom: 10px;}.uagb-block-f9d54988.wp-block-uagb-separator:not(.wp-block-uagb-separator--text):not(.wp-block-uagb-separator--icon) .wp-block-uagb-separator__inner{-webkit-mask-size: 5px 100%;width: 100%;border-top-color: #eabe5e;border-top-style: solid;margin-top: 5px;margin-bottom: 5px;}.wp-block-uagb-icon-list.uagb-block-cbb8c5bd .uagb-icon-list__source-image{width: 18px;}.wp-block-uagb-icon-list.uagb-block-cbb8c5bd .wp-block-uagb-icon-list-child .uagb-icon-list__source-wrap svg{width: 18px;height: 18px;font-size: 18px;}.wp-block-uagb-icon-list.uagb-block-cbb8c5bd .wp-block-uagb-icon-list-child .uagb-icon-list__source-wrap{padding: 0px;border-width: 0px;align-self: center;}.wp-block-uagb-icon-list.uagb-block-cbb8c5bd .uagb-icon-list__wrap{display: flex;flex-direction: column;justify-content: center;-webkit-box-pack: center;-ms-flex-pack: center;-webkit-box-align: flex-start;-ms-flex-align: flex-start;align-items: flex-start;}.wp-block-uagb-icon-list.uagb-block-cbb8c5bd.wp-block-uagb-icon-list .wp-block-uagb-icon-list-child{margin-left: 0;margin-right: 0;margin-bottom: 24px;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container .uagb-block-48a597f8{max-width: 100%;width: 100%;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container.alignfull.uagb-block-48a597f8 > .uagb-container-inner-blocks-wrap{--inner-content-custom-width: min( 100%, 767px);max-width: var(--inner-content-custom-width);width: 100%;flex-wrap: wrap;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-48a597f8{padding-top: 0px;padding-bottom: 0px;padding-left: 0px;padding-right: 0px;margin-top: 0px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;margin-left: 0px;margin-right: 0px;order: initial;background-color: #ffffff;;flex-wrap: wrap;grid-column: span 1;grid-row: span 1;align-self: stretch;justify-self: stretch;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container .uagb-block-22a41c70{max-width: 100%;width: 100%;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container.alignfull.uagb-block-22a41c70 > .uagb-container-inner-blocks-wrap{--inner-content-custom-width: min( 100%, 767px);max-width: var(--inner-content-custom-width);width: 100%;flex-wrap: wrap;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-22a41c70{margin-top:  !important;margin-bottom:  !important;order: initial;background-image: url(https:\/\/wp-stage.familylife.com\/www\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1001\/2025\/03\/HelpFamiliesGrow2.webp);background-clip: padding-box;flex-wrap: wrap;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container .uagb-block-562935bf{max-width: 100%;width: 100%;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container.alignfull.uagb-block-562935bf > .uagb-container-inner-blocks-wrap{--inner-content-custom-width: min( 100%, 767px);max-width: var(--inner-content-custom-width);width: 100%;flex-wrap: wrap;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-562935bf{padding-top: 20px;padding-bottom: 40px;padding-left: 40px;padding-right: 40px;margin-top:  !important;margin-bottom:  !important;order: initial;flex-wrap: wrap;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container .uagb-block-5a1442f2{max-width: 100%;width: 100%;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container.alignfull.uagb-block-5a1442f2 > .uagb-container-inner-blocks-wrap{--inner-content-custom-width: min( 100%, 767px);max-width: var(--inner-content-custom-width);width: 100%;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-5a1442f2.uagb-layout-grid{grid-template-columns: minmax( 1px, 1fr) ;grid-template-rows: minmax( 1px, 1fr) ;align-items: stretch;justify-items: stretch;align-content: stretch;justify-content: stretch;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-5a1442f2{margin-top:  !important;margin-bottom:  !important;order: initial;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-5a1442f2.wp-block-uagb-container > *:not( .wp-block-uagb-column ):not( .wp-block-uagb-section ):not( .uagb-container__shape ):not( .uagb-container__video-wrap ):not( .uagb-slider-container ):not( .spectra-container-link-overlay ):not(.spectra-image-gallery__control-lightbox):not(.wp-block-uagb-lottie):not(.uagb-container-inner-blocks-wrap){width: 100%;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-5a1442f2.wp-block-uagb-container > .uagb-container-inner-blocks-wrap > *:not( .wp-block-uagb-column ):not( .wp-block-uagb-section ):not( .uagb-container__shape ):not( .uagb-container__video-wrap ):not( .uagb-slider-container ):not(.spectra-image-gallery__control-lightbox){width: 100%;}.wp-block-uagb-advanced-heading.uagb-block-d9c0200f.wp-block-uagb-advanced-heading {padding-left: 40px;}.wp-block-uagb-advanced-heading.uagb-block-d9c0200f .uagb-heading-text{letter-spacing: 4px;}.uagb-block-aa17f10e.wp-block-uagb-separator{text-align: center;}.uagb-block-aa17f10e.wp-block-uagb-separator--text .wp-block-uagb-separator-element .uagb-html-tag{font-style: normal;margin-bottom: initial;line-height: 1em;}.uagb-block-aa17f10e .uagb-separator-spacing-wrapper{padding-top: 10px;padding-bottom: 10px;}.uagb-block-aa17f10e.wp-block-uagb-separator:not(.wp-block-uagb-separator--text):not(.wp-block-uagb-separator--icon) .wp-block-uagb-separator__inner{-webkit-mask-size: 5px 100%;width: 100%;border-top-color: #eabe5e;border-top-style: solid;margin-top: 5px;margin-bottom: 5px;}.wp-block-uagb-icon-list.uagb-block-ced20c64 .uagb-icon-list__source-image{width: 18px;}.wp-block-uagb-icon-list.uagb-block-ced20c64 .wp-block-uagb-icon-list-child .uagb-icon-list__source-wrap svg{width: 18px;height: 18px;font-size: 18px;}.wp-block-uagb-icon-list.uagb-block-ced20c64 .wp-block-uagb-icon-list-child .uagb-icon-list__source-wrap{padding: 0px;border-width: 0px;align-self: center;}.wp-block-uagb-icon-list.uagb-block-ced20c64 .uagb-icon-list__wrap{display: flex;flex-direction: column;justify-content: center;-webkit-box-pack: center;-ms-flex-pack: center;-webkit-box-align: flex-start;-ms-flex-align: flex-start;align-items: flex-start;}.wp-block-uagb-icon-list.uagb-block-ced20c64.wp-block-uagb-icon-list .wp-block-uagb-icon-list-child{margin-left: 0;margin-right: 0;margin-bottom: 24px;}}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-ecebc267 .uagb-container__shape-top svg{width: calc( 100% + 1.3px );}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-ecebc267 .uagb-container__shape.uagb-container__shape-top .uagb-container__shape-fill{fill: rgba(51,51,51,1);}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-ecebc267 .uagb-container__shape-bottom svg{width: calc( 100% + 1.3px );}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-ecebc267 .uagb-container__shape.uagb-container__shape-bottom .uagb-container__shape-fill{fill: rgba(51,51,51,1);}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-ecebc267 .uagb-container__video-wrap video{opacity: 1;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container .uagb-block-ecebc267{max-width: 100%;width: 100%;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-ecebc267{box-shadow: 0px 0px   #00000070 ;margin-top:  !important;margin-bottom:  !important;overflow: visible;order: initial;border-color: inherit;background: linear-gradient(130deg, #ffffff 60%, #f8f8f8 46%);;background-clip: padding-box;flex-direction: column;align-items: center;justify-content: center;flex-wrap: nowrap;}@media only screen and (max-width: 976px) {.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container .uagb-block-ecebc267{width: 100%;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-ecebc267{margin-top:  !important;margin-bottom:  !important;order: initial;background: linear-gradient(130deg, #ffffff 60%, #f8f8f8 46%);;background-clip: padding-box;}}@media only screen and (max-width: 767px) {.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container .uagb-block-ecebc267{max-width: 100%;width: 100%;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-ecebc267{margin-top:  !important;margin-bottom:  !important;order: initial;background: linear-gradient(130deg, #ffffff 60%, #f8f8f8 46%);;background-clip: padding-box;flex-wrap: wrap;}}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-8d4ac8a0 .uagb-container__shape-top svg{width: calc( 100% + 1.3px );}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-8d4ac8a0 .uagb-container__shape.uagb-container__shape-top .uagb-container__shape-fill{fill: rgba(51,51,51,1);}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-8d4ac8a0 .uagb-container__shape-bottom svg{width: calc( 100% + 1.3px );}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-8d4ac8a0 .uagb-container__shape.uagb-container__shape-bottom .uagb-container__shape-fill{fill: rgba(51,51,51,1);}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-8d4ac8a0 .uagb-container__video-wrap video{opacity: 1;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container .uagb-block-8d4ac8a0{max-width: 100%;width: 100%;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container.alignfull.uagb-block-8d4ac8a0 > .uagb-container-inner-blocks-wrap{--inner-content-custom-width: min( 100%, 1320px);max-width: var(--inner-content-custom-width);width: 100%;flex-direction: row;align-items: flex-start;justify-content: center;flex-wrap: nowrap;row-gap: 32px;column-gap: 32px;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-8d4ac8a0{box-shadow: 0px 0px   #00000070 ;padding-top: 80px;padding-bottom: 80px;padding-left: 12px;padding-right: 12px;margin-top:  !important;margin-bottom:  !important;overflow: visible;order: initial;border-color: inherit;row-gap: 32px;column-gap: 32px;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-047d9c4f .uagb-container__shape-top svg{width: calc( 100% + 1.3px );}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-047d9c4f .uagb-container__shape.uagb-container__shape-top .uagb-container__shape-fill{fill: rgba(51,51,51,1);}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-047d9c4f .uagb-container__shape-bottom svg{width: calc( 100% + 1.3px );}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-047d9c4f .uagb-container__shape.uagb-container__shape-bottom .uagb-container__shape-fill{fill: rgba(51,51,51,1);}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-047d9c4f .uagb-container__video-wrap video{opacity: 1;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container .uagb-block-047d9c4f{max-width: 25%;width: 100%;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-047d9c4f{box-shadow: 0px 0px   #00000070 ;margin-top:  !important;margin-bottom:  !important;overflow: visible;order: initial;border-color: inherit;flex-direction: column;align-items: center;justify-content: center;flex-wrap: nowrap;max-width: 25% !important;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-047d9c4f .uagb-container__shape-top svg{width: calc( 100% + 1.3px );}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-047d9c4f .uagb-container__shape.uagb-container__shape-top .uagb-container__shape-fill{fill: rgba(51,51,51,1);}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-047d9c4f .uagb-container__shape-bottom svg{width: calc( 100% + 1.3px );}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-047d9c4f .uagb-container__shape.uagb-container__shape-bottom .uagb-container__shape-fill{fill: rgba(51,51,51,1);}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-047d9c4f .uagb-container__video-wrap video{opacity: 1;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container .uagb-block-047d9c4f{max-width: 25%;width: 100%;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-047d9c4f{box-shadow: 0px 0px   #00000070 ;margin-top:  !important;margin-bottom:  !important;overflow: visible;order: initial;border-color: inherit;flex-direction: column;align-items: center;justify-content: center;flex-wrap: nowrap;max-width: 25% !important;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-047d9c4f .uagb-container__shape-top svg{width: calc( 100% + 1.3px );}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-047d9c4f .uagb-container__shape.uagb-container__shape-top .uagb-container__shape-fill{fill: rgba(51,51,51,1);}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-047d9c4f .uagb-container__shape-bottom svg{width: calc( 100% + 1.3px );}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-047d9c4f .uagb-container__shape.uagb-container__shape-bottom .uagb-container__shape-fill{fill: rgba(51,51,51,1);}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-047d9c4f .uagb-container__video-wrap video{opacity: 1;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container .uagb-block-047d9c4f{max-width: 25%;width: 100%;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-047d9c4f{box-shadow: 0px 0px   #00000070 ;margin-top:  !important;margin-bottom:  !important;overflow: visible;order: initial;border-color: inherit;flex-direction: column;align-items: center;justify-content: center;flex-wrap: nowrap;max-width: 25% !important;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-047d9c4f .uagb-container__shape-top svg{width: calc( 100% + 1.3px );}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-047d9c4f .uagb-container__shape.uagb-container__shape-top .uagb-container__shape-fill{fill: rgba(51,51,51,1);}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-047d9c4f .uagb-container__shape-bottom svg{width: calc( 100% + 1.3px );}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-047d9c4f .uagb-container__shape.uagb-container__shape-bottom .uagb-container__shape-fill{fill: rgba(51,51,51,1);}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-047d9c4f .uagb-container__video-wrap video{opacity: 1;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container .uagb-block-047d9c4f{max-width: 25%;width: 100%;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-047d9c4f{box-shadow: 0px 0px   #00000070 ;margin-top:  !important;margin-bottom:  !important;overflow: visible;order: initial;border-color: inherit;flex-direction: column;align-items: center;justify-content: center;flex-wrap: nowrap;max-width: 25% !important;}@media only screen and (max-width: 976px) {.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container .uagb-block-8d4ac8a0{width: 100%;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container.alignfull.uagb-block-8d4ac8a0 > .uagb-container-inner-blocks-wrap{--inner-content-custom-width: min( 100%, 1024px);max-width: var(--inner-content-custom-width);width: 100%;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-8d4ac8a0{padding-top: 80px;padding-bottom: 80px;padding-left: 12px;padding-right: 12px;margin-top:  !important;margin-bottom:  !important;order: initial;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container .uagb-block-047d9c4f{width: 100%;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-047d9c4f{margin-top:  !important;margin-bottom:  !important;order: initial;max-width:  !important;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container .uagb-block-047d9c4f{width: 100%;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-047d9c4f{margin-top:  !important;margin-bottom:  !important;order: initial;max-width:  !important;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container .uagb-block-047d9c4f{width: 100%;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-047d9c4f{margin-top:  !important;margin-bottom:  !important;order: initial;max-width:  !important;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container .uagb-block-047d9c4f{width: 100%;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-047d9c4f{margin-top:  !important;margin-bottom:  !important;order: initial;max-width:  !important;}}@media only screen and (max-width: 767px) {.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container .uagb-block-8d4ac8a0{max-width: 100%;width: 100%;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container.alignfull.uagb-block-8d4ac8a0 > .uagb-container-inner-blocks-wrap{--inner-content-custom-width: min( 100%, 767px);max-width: var(--inner-content-custom-width);width: 100%;flex-wrap: wrap;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-8d4ac8a0{padding-top: 80px;padding-bottom: 80px;padding-left: 12px;padding-right: 12px;margin-top:  !important;margin-bottom:  !important;order: initial;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container .uagb-block-047d9c4f{max-width: 100%;width: 100%;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-047d9c4f{margin-top:  !important;margin-bottom:  !important;order: initial;flex-wrap: wrap;max-width: 100% !important;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container .uagb-block-047d9c4f{max-width: 100%;width: 100%;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-047d9c4f{margin-top:  !important;margin-bottom:  !important;order: initial;flex-wrap: wrap;max-width: 100% !important;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container .uagb-block-047d9c4f{max-width: 100%;width: 100%;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-047d9c4f{margin-top:  !important;margin-bottom:  !important;order: initial;flex-wrap: wrap;max-width: 100% !important;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container .uagb-block-047d9c4f{max-width: 100%;width: 100%;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-047d9c4f{margin-top:  !important;margin-bottom:  !important;order: initial;flex-wrap: wrap;max-width: 100% !important;}}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-f064f662.wp-block-uagb-container{color: #ffffff;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-f064f662.wp-block-uagb-container *{color: #ffffff;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-f064f662 .uagb-container__shape-top svg{width: calc( 100% + 1.3px );}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-f064f662 .uagb-container__shape.uagb-container__shape-top .uagb-container__shape-fill{fill: rgba(51,51,51,1);}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-f064f662 .uagb-container__shape-bottom svg{width: calc( 100% + 1.3px );}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-f064f662 .uagb-container__shape.uagb-container__shape-bottom .uagb-container__shape-fill{fill: rgba(51,51,51,1);}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-f064f662 .uagb-container__video-wrap video{opacity: 1;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container .uagb-block-f064f662{max-width: 100%;width: 100%;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container.alignfull.uagb-block-f064f662 > .uagb-container-inner-blocks-wrap{--inner-content-custom-width: min( 100%, 1320px);max-width: var(--inner-content-custom-width);width: 100%;flex-direction: column;align-items: center;justify-content: center;flex-wrap: nowrap;row-gap: 20px;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-f064f662{box-shadow: 0px 0px   #00000070 ;padding-top: 20px;padding-bottom: 20px;padding-left: 12px;padding-right: 12px;margin-top:  !important;margin-bottom:  !important;overflow: visible;order: initial;border-color: inherit;background-color: #25282a;;row-gap: 20px;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-dbd5f6c0 .uagb-container__shape-top svg{width: calc( 100% + 1.3px );}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-dbd5f6c0 .uagb-container__shape.uagb-container__shape-top .uagb-container__shape-fill{fill: rgba(51,51,51,1);}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-dbd5f6c0 .uagb-container__shape-bottom svg{width: calc( 100% + 1.3px );}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-dbd5f6c0 .uagb-container__shape.uagb-container__shape-bottom .uagb-container__shape-fill{fill: rgba(51,51,51,1);}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-dbd5f6c0 .uagb-container__video-wrap video{opacity: 1;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container .uagb-block-dbd5f6c0{max-width: 100%;width: 100%;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container.alignfull.uagb-block-dbd5f6c0 > .uagb-container-inner-blocks-wrap{--inner-content-custom-width: min( 100%, 1320px);max-width: var(--inner-content-custom-width);width: 100%;flex-direction: row;align-items: center;justify-content: center;flex-wrap: nowrap;row-gap: 20px;column-gap: 32px;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-dbd5f6c0{box-shadow: 0px 0px   #00000070 ;margin-top:  !important;margin-bottom:  !important;overflow: visible;order: initial;border-color: inherit;flex-direction: row;align-items: center;justify-content: center;flex-wrap: nowrap;row-gap: 20px;column-gap: 32px;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-dbd5f6c0.wp-block-uagb-container > *:not( .wp-block-uagb-column ):not( .wp-block-uagb-section ):not( .uagb-container__shape ):not( .uagb-container__video-wrap ):not( .uagb-slider-container ):not( .spectra-container-link-overlay ):not(.spectra-image-gallery__control-lightbox):not(.wp-block-uagb-lottie):not(.uagb-container-inner-blocks-wrap){width: auto !important;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-dbd5f6c0.wp-block-uagb-container > .uagb-container-inner-blocks-wrap > *:not( .wp-block-uagb-column ):not( .wp-block-uagb-section ):not( .uagb-container__shape ):not( .uagb-container__video-wrap ):not( .uagb-slider-container ):not(.spectra-image-gallery__control-lightbox){width: auto !important;}.uagb-block-644e4891.wp-block-uagb-image--layout-default figure img{box-shadow: 0px 0px 0 #00000070;}.uagb-block-644e4891.wp-block-uagb-image .wp-block-uagb-image__figure figcaption{font-style: normal;align-self: center;}.uagb-block-644e4891.wp-block-uagb-image--layout-overlay figure img{box-shadow: 0px 0px 0 #00000070;}.uagb-block-644e4891.wp-block-uagb-image--layout-overlay .wp-block-uagb-image--layout-overlay__color-wrapper{opacity: 0.2;}.uagb-block-644e4891.wp-block-uagb-image--layout-overlay .wp-block-uagb-image--layout-overlay__inner{left: 15px;right: 15px;top: 15px;bottom: 15px;}.uagb-block-644e4891.wp-block-uagb-image--layout-overlay .wp-block-uagb-image--layout-overlay__inner .uagb-image-heading{font-style: normal;color: #fff;opacity: 1;}.uagb-block-644e4891.wp-block-uagb-image--layout-overlay .wp-block-uagb-image--layout-overlay__inner .uagb-image-heading a{color: #fff;}.uagb-block-644e4891.wp-block-uagb-image--layout-overlay .wp-block-uagb-image--layout-overlay__inner .uagb-image-caption{opacity: 0;}.uagb-block-644e4891.wp-block-uagb-image--layout-overlay .wp-block-uagb-image__figure:hover .wp-block-uagb-image--layout-overlay__color-wrapper{opacity: 1;}.uagb-block-644e4891.wp-block-uagb-image .wp-block-uagb-image--layout-overlay__inner .uagb-image-separator{width: 30%;border-top-width: 2px;border-top-color: #fff;opacity: 0;}.uagb-block-644e4891.wp-block-uagb-image .wp-block-uagb-image__figure img{width: 292px;height: 48px;}.uagb-block-644e4891.wp-block-uagb-image .wp-block-uagb-image__figure:hover .wp-block-uagb-image--layout-overlay__inner .uagb-image-caption{opacity: 1;}.uagb-block-644e4891.wp-block-uagb-image .wp-block-uagb-image__figure:hover .wp-block-uagb-image--layout-overlay__inner .uagb-image-separator{opacity: 1;}.uagb-block-644e4891.wp-block-uagb-image--layout-default figure:hover img{box-shadow: 0px 0px 0 #00000070;}.uagb-block-644e4891.wp-block-uagb-image--layout-overlay figure:hover img{box-shadow: 0px 0px 0 #00000070;}@media only screen and (max-width: 976px) {.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container .uagb-block-f064f662{width: 100%;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container.alignfull.uagb-block-f064f662 > .uagb-container-inner-blocks-wrap{--inner-content-custom-width: min( 100%, 1024px);max-width: var(--inner-content-custom-width);width: 100%;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-f064f662{padding-top: 20px;padding-bottom: 20px;padding-left: 12px;padding-right: 12px;margin-top:  !important;margin-bottom:  !important;order: initial;background-color: #25282a;;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container .uagb-block-dbd5f6c0{width: 100%;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container.alignfull.uagb-block-dbd5f6c0 > .uagb-container-inner-blocks-wrap{--inner-content-custom-width: min( 100%, 1024px);max-width: var(--inner-content-custom-width);width: 100%;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-dbd5f6c0{margin-top:  !important;margin-bottom:  !important;order: initial;}.uagb-block-644e4891.wp-block-uagb-image .wp-block-uagb-image__figure img{width: 280px;height: 45px;}}@media only screen and (max-width: 767px) {.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container .uagb-block-f064f662{max-width: 100%;width: 100%;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container.alignfull.uagb-block-f064f662 > .uagb-container-inner-blocks-wrap{--inner-content-custom-width: min( 100%, 767px);max-width: var(--inner-content-custom-width);width: 100%;flex-wrap: wrap;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-f064f662{padding-top: 20px;padding-bottom: 20px;padding-left: 12px;padding-right: 12px;margin-top:  !important;margin-bottom:  !important;order: initial;background-color: #25282a;;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container .uagb-block-dbd5f6c0{max-width: 100%;width: 100%;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container.alignfull.uagb-block-dbd5f6c0 > .uagb-container-inner-blocks-wrap{--inner-content-custom-width: min( 100%, 767px);max-width: var(--inner-content-custom-width);width: 100%;flex-wrap: wrap;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-dbd5f6c0{margin-top:  !important;margin-bottom:  !important;order: initial;flex-wrap: wrap;}.uagb-block-644e4891.wp-block-uagb-image .wp-block-uagb-image__figure img{width: 280px;height: 45px;}}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-beb12949 .uagb-container__shape-top svg{width: calc( 100% + 1.3px );}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-beb12949 .uagb-container__shape.uagb-container__shape-top .uagb-container__shape-fill{fill: rgba(51,51,51,1);}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-beb12949 .uagb-container__shape-bottom svg{width: calc( 100% + 1.3px );}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-beb12949 .uagb-container__shape.uagb-container__shape-bottom .uagb-container__shape-fill{fill: rgba(51,51,51,1);}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-beb12949 .uagb-container__video-wrap video{opacity: 1;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container .uagb-block-beb12949{max-width: 100%;width: 100%;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container.alignfull.uagb-block-beb12949 > .uagb-container-inner-blocks-wrap{--inner-content-custom-width: min( 100%, 1320px);max-width: var(--inner-content-custom-width);width: 100%;flex-direction: column;align-items: center;justify-content: center;flex-wrap: nowrap;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-beb12949{box-shadow: 0px 0px   #00000070 ;margin-top:  !important;margin-bottom:  !important;overflow: visible;order: initial;border-color: inherit;background-color: #006c5b;;}@media only screen and (max-width: 976px) {.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container .uagb-block-beb12949{width: 100%;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container.alignfull.uagb-block-beb12949 > .uagb-container-inner-blocks-wrap{--inner-content-custom-width: min( 100%, 1024px);max-width: var(--inner-content-custom-width);width: 100%;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-beb12949{margin-top:  !important;margin-bottom:  !important;order: initial;background-color: #006c5b;;}}@media only screen and (max-width: 767px) {.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container .uagb-block-beb12949{max-width: 100%;width: 100%;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container.alignfull.uagb-block-beb12949 > .uagb-container-inner-blocks-wrap{--inner-content-custom-width: min( 100%, 767px);max-width: var(--inner-content-custom-width);width: 100%;flex-wrap: wrap;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-beb12949{margin-top:  !important;margin-bottom:  !important;order: initial;background-color: #006c5b;;}}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-beb12949 .uagb-container__shape-top svg{width: calc( 100% + 1.3px );}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-beb12949 .uagb-container__shape.uagb-container__shape-top .uagb-container__shape-fill{fill: rgba(51,51,51,1);}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-beb12949 .uagb-container__shape-bottom svg{width: calc( 100% + 1.3px );}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-beb12949 .uagb-container__shape.uagb-container__shape-bottom .uagb-container__shape-fill{fill: rgba(51,51,51,1);}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-beb12949 .uagb-container__video-wrap video{opacity: 1;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container .uagb-block-beb12949{max-width: 100%;width: 100%;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container.alignfull.uagb-block-beb12949 > .uagb-container-inner-blocks-wrap{--inner-content-custom-width: min( 100%, 1320px);max-width: var(--inner-content-custom-width);width: 100%;flex-direction: column;align-items: center;justify-content: center;flex-wrap: nowrap;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-beb12949{box-shadow: 0px 0px   #00000070 ;margin-top:  !important;margin-bottom:  !important;overflow: visible;order: initial;border-color: inherit;background-color: #006c5b;;}@media only screen and (max-width: 976px) {.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container .uagb-block-beb12949{width: 100%;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container.alignfull.uagb-block-beb12949 > .uagb-container-inner-blocks-wrap{--inner-content-custom-width: min( 100%, 1024px);max-width: var(--inner-content-custom-width);width: 100%;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-beb12949{margin-top:  !important;margin-bottom:  !important;order: initial;background-color: #006c5b;;}}@media only screen and (max-width: 767px) {.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container .uagb-block-beb12949{max-width: 100%;width: 100%;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container.alignfull.uagb-block-beb12949 > .uagb-container-inner-blocks-wrap{--inner-content-custom-width: min( 100%, 767px);max-width: var(--inner-content-custom-width);width: 100%;flex-wrap: wrap;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-beb12949{margin-top:  !important;margin-bottom:  !important;order: initial;background-color: #006c5b;;}}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-5096eaa1 .uagb-container__shape-top svg{width: calc( 100% + 1.3px );}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-5096eaa1 .uagb-container__shape.uagb-container__shape-top .uagb-container__shape-fill{fill: rgba(51,51,51,1);}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-5096eaa1 .uagb-container__shape-bottom svg{width: calc( 100% + 1.3px );}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-5096eaa1 .uagb-container__shape.uagb-container__shape-bottom .uagb-container__shape-fill{fill: rgba(51,51,51,1);}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-5096eaa1 .uagb-container__video-wrap video{opacity: 1;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container .uagb-block-5096eaa1{max-width: 100%;width: 100%;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container.alignfull.uagb-block-5096eaa1 > .uagb-container-inner-blocks-wrap{--inner-content-custom-width: min( 100%, 1320px);max-width: var(--inner-content-custom-width);width: 100%;flex-direction: column;align-items: center;justify-content: center;flex-wrap: nowrap;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-5096eaa1{box-shadow: 0px 0px   #00000070 ;margin-top:  !important;margin-bottom:  !important;overflow: visible;order: initial;border-color: inherit;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-89b3b7a8 .uagb-container__shape-top svg{width: calc( 100% + 1.3px );}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-89b3b7a8 .uagb-container__shape.uagb-container__shape-top .uagb-container__shape-fill{fill: rgba(51,51,51,1);}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-89b3b7a8 .uagb-container__shape-bottom svg{width: calc( 100% + 1.3px );}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-89b3b7a8 .uagb-container__shape.uagb-container__shape-bottom .uagb-container__shape-fill{fill: rgba(51,51,51,1);}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-89b3b7a8 .uagb-container__video-wrap video{opacity: 1;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container .uagb-block-89b3b7a8{max-width: 100%;width: 100%;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container.alignfull.uagb-block-89b3b7a8 > .uagb-container-inner-blocks-wrap{--inner-content-custom-width: min( 100%, 1320px);max-width: var(--inner-content-custom-width);width: 100%;flex-direction: column;align-items: center;justify-content: center;flex-wrap: nowrap;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-89b3b7a8{box-shadow: 0px 0px   #00000070 ;padding-top: 2em;padding-bottom: 2em;padding-left: 2em;padding-right: 2em;margin-top:  !important;margin-bottom:  !important;overflow: visible;order: initial;border-top-left-radius: 30px;border-top-right-radius: 30px;border-bottom-left-radius: 30px;border-bottom-right-radius: 30px;border-color: inherit;background-color: #ebebeb;;}.wp-block-uagb-advanced-heading.uagb-block-97ee3d2f.wp-block-uagb-advanced-heading .uagb-desc-text{margin-bottom: 15px;}.wp-block-uagb-advanced-heading.uagb-block-97ee3d2f.wp-block-uagb-advanced-heading .uagb-highlight{font-style: normal;font-weight: Default;background: #007cba;color: #fff;-webkit-text-fill-color: #fff;}.wp-block-uagb-advanced-heading.uagb-block-97ee3d2f.wp-block-uagb-advanced-heading .uagb-highlight::-moz-selection{color: #fff;background: #007cba;-webkit-text-fill-color: #fff;}.wp-block-uagb-advanced-heading.uagb-block-97ee3d2f.wp-block-uagb-advanced-heading .uagb-highlight::selection{color: #fff;background: #007cba;-webkit-text-fill-color: #fff;}.uagb-block-232092dc.wp-block-uagb-buttons.uagb-buttons__outer-wrap .uagb-buttons__wrap {gap: 10px;}.uagb-block-232092dc.uagb-buttons__outer-wrap .uagb-buttons__wrap {justify-content: left;align-items: center;}.wp-block-uagb-buttons .uagb-block-00708611.wp-block-uagb-buttons-child .uagb-buttons-repeater{background: #f3bd48;}.wp-block-uagb-buttons .uagb-block-00708611 .wp-block-button__link{background: #f3bd48;}.wp-block-uagb-buttons .uagb-block-00708611 .wp-block-button__link:hover{background: #f4deaa;}.wp-block-uagb-buttons .uagb-block-00708611 .wp-block-button__link:focus{background: #f4deaa;}.wp-block-uagb-buttons .uagb-block-00708611 .uagb-button__wrapper .uagb-buttons-repeater{color: #25282a;}.wp-block-uagb-buttons .uagb-block-00708611 .wp-block-button__link.has-text-color:hover .uagb-button__link{color: #25282a;}.wp-block-uagb-buttons .uagb-block-00708611 .wp-block-button__link.has-text-color:focus .uagb-button__link{color: #25282a;}.wp-block-uagb-buttons .uagb-block-00708611 .uagb-button__wrapper  .uagb-buttons-repeater.wp-block-button__link{box-shadow: 0px 0px 0 #00000026;}.wp-block-uagb-buttons .uagb-block-00708611 .uagb-button__wrapper  .uagb-buttons-repeater.wp-block-button__link:hover{box-shadow: 0px 0px 0 #00000026;}.wp-block-uagb-buttons .uagb-block-00708611 .uagb-buttons-repeater.wp-block-button__link{border-color: #333;border-style: none;}.wp-block-uagb-buttons .uagb-block-00708611 .uagb-buttons-repeater.wp-block-button__link:hover{border-color: #333;}.wp-block-uagb-buttons .uagb-block-00708611 .uagb-buttons-repeater.wp-block-button__link:focus{border-color: #333;}.wp-block-uagb-buttons .uagb-block-00708611.wp-block-button.is-style-outline .uagb-button__wrapper .wp-block-button__link.uagb-buttons-repeater{border-color: #333;border-style: none;}.wp-block-uagb-buttons .uagb-block-00708611.wp-block-button.is-style-outline .uagb-button__wrapper .wp-block-button__link.uagb-buttons-repeater:hover{border-color: #333;}.wp-block-uagb-buttons .uagb-block-00708611 .uagb-buttons-repeater .uagb-button__link{color: #25282a;}.wp-block-uagb-buttons .uagb-block-00708611 .uagb-buttons-repeater:hover .uagb-button__link{color: #25282a;}.wp-block-uagb-buttons .uagb-block-00708611 .uagb-buttons-repeater:focus .uagb-button__link{color: #25282a;}.wp-block-uagb-buttons .uagb-block-00708611 .uagb-buttons-repeater .uagb-button__icon > svg{width: 15px;height: 15px;fill: #25282a;}.wp-block-uagb-buttons .uagb-block-00708611 .uagb-buttons-repeater:hover .uagb-button__icon > svg{fill: #25282a;}.wp-block-uagb-buttons .uagb-block-00708611 .uagb-buttons-repeater:focus .uagb-button__icon > svg{fill: #25282a;}.wp-block-uagb-buttons .uagb-block-00708611 .uagb-buttons-repeater .uagb-button__icon-position-after{margin-left: 8px;}.wp-block-uagb-buttons .uagb-block-00708611 .uagb-buttons-repeater .uagb-button__icon-position-before{margin-right: 8px;}.wp-block-uagb-buttons .uagb-block-00708611 .uagb-button__link{text-transform: normal;text-decoration: none;}@media only screen and (max-width: 976px) {.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container .uagb-block-5096eaa1{width: 100%;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container.alignfull.uagb-block-5096eaa1 > .uagb-container-inner-blocks-wrap{--inner-content-custom-width: min( 100%, 1024px);max-width: var(--inner-content-custom-width);width: 100%;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-5096eaa1{margin-top:  !important;margin-bottom:  !important;order: initial;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container .uagb-block-89b3b7a8{width: 100%;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container.alignfull.uagb-block-89b3b7a8 > .uagb-container-inner-blocks-wrap{--inner-content-custom-width: min( 100%, 1024px);max-width: var(--inner-content-custom-width);width: 100%;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-89b3b7a8{padding-top: 2px;padding-bottom: 2px;padding-left: 2px;padding-right: 2px;margin-top:  !important;margin-bottom:  !important;order: initial;background-color: #ebebeb;;}.uagb-block-232092dc.uagb-buttons__outer-wrap .uagb-buttons__wrap {justify-content: center;align-items: center;}.uagb-block-232092dc.uagb-buttons__outer-wrap .uagb-buttons__wrap .wp-block-button{width: auto;}.wp-block-uagb-buttons .uagb-block-00708611.wp-block-button.is-style-outline .uagb-button__wrapper .wp-block-button__link.uagb-buttons-repeater{border-style: none;border-color: #333;}.wp-block-uagb-buttons .uagb-block-00708611 .uagb-buttons-repeater.wp-block-button__link{border-style: none;border-color: #333;}}@media only screen and (max-width: 767px) {.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container .uagb-block-5096eaa1{max-width: 100%;width: 100%;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container.alignfull.uagb-block-5096eaa1 > .uagb-container-inner-blocks-wrap{--inner-content-custom-width: min( 100%, 767px);max-width: var(--inner-content-custom-width);width: 100%;flex-wrap: wrap;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-5096eaa1{margin-top:  !important;margin-bottom:  !important;order: initial;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container .uagb-block-89b3b7a8{max-width: 100%;width: 100%;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container.alignfull.uagb-block-89b3b7a8 > .uagb-container-inner-blocks-wrap{--inner-content-custom-width: min( 100%, 767px);max-width: var(--inner-content-custom-width);width: 100%;flex-wrap: wrap;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-89b3b7a8{padding-top: 2px;padding-bottom: 2px;padding-left: 2px;padding-right: 2px;margin-top:  !important;margin-bottom:  !important;order: initial;background-color: #ebebeb;;}.uagb-block-232092dc.uagb-buttons__outer-wrap .uagb-buttons__wrap {justify-content: center;align-items: center;}.uagb-block-232092dc.uagb-buttons__outer-wrap .uagb-buttons__wrap .wp-block-button{width: auto;}.wp-block-uagb-buttons .uagb-block-00708611.wp-block-button.is-style-outline .uagb-button__wrapper .wp-block-button__link.uagb-buttons-repeater{border-style: none;border-color: #333;}.wp-block-uagb-buttons .uagb-block-00708611 .uagb-buttons-repeater.wp-block-button__link{border-style: none;border-color: #333;}}\";s:2:\"js\";s:161:\"document.addEventListener(\"DOMContentLoaded\", function(){ window.addEventListener( 'load', function() {\n\tUAGBButtonChild.init( '.uagb-block-00708611' );\n});\n });\";s:18:\"current_block_list\";a:17:{i:0;s:14:\"uagb\/container\";i:1;s:12:\"core\/heading\";i:2;s:9:\"core\/html\";i:3;s:10:\"core\/group\";i:6;s:21:\"uagb\/advanced-heading\";i:7;s:14:\"uagb\/separator\";i:8;s:14:\"uagb\/icon-list\";i:9;s:20:\"uagb\/icon-list-child\";i:10;s:11:\"core\/search\";i:13;s:18:\"core\/legacy-widget\";i:16;s:10:\"uagb\/image\";i:17;s:17:\"core\/social-links\";i:18;s:16:\"core\/social-link\";i:19;s:14:\"core\/paragraph\";i:20;s:30:\"meta-box\/fl-conditional-blocks\";i:21;s:12:\"uagb\/buttons\";i:22;s:18:\"uagb\/buttons-child\";}s:8:\"uag_flag\";b:1;s:11:\"uag_version\";i:1776470598;s:6:\"gfonts\";a:1:{s:7:\"Default\";a:2:{s:10:\"fontfamily\";s:7:\"Default\";s:12:\"fontvariants\";a:0:{}}}s:10:\"gfonts_url\";s:71:\"\/\/fonts.googleapis.com\/css?family=Default&subset=latin&display=fallback\";s:12:\"gfonts_files\";a:0:{}s:14:\"uag_faq_layout\";b:0;}"]},"uagb_featured_image_src":{"full":["https:\/\/wp-stage.familylife.com\/www\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1001\/2024\/06\/image-scaled.jpg",1024,1024,true]},"uagb_author_info":{"display_name":"Margaret","author_link":"https:\/\/wp-stage.familylife.com\/www\/author\/margaret-coylefamilylife-com\/"},"uagb_comment_info":0,"uagb_excerpt":"Dave and Ann Wilson welcome Scott Kedersha, author and marriage pastor, and Ron Deal to the show. They explore how Scott's early experiences of grief and family disruption shaped his approach to marriage and parenting.","meta_box":{"show_notes":"\n<ul>\n<li>Learn more about the Summit on Stepfamily Ministry: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.summitonstepfamilies.com\/\">SummitOnStepfamilies.com<\/a><\/li>\n<li>Connect with Scott Kedersha and hear more of his thoughts at <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scottkedersha.com\/\">scottkedersha.com<\/a>. And you can find his book, Ready or Knot?, at <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scottkedersha.com\/ready-or-knot\">scottkedersha.com\/ready-or-knot<\/a>.<\/li>\n<li>Enjoyed this episode? Listen to more with Scott <a href=\"https:\/\/wp-stage.familylife.com\/www\/podcast\/guest\/scott-kedersha\/\">here<\/a>!<\/li>\n<li>Ron Deal leads <a href=\"http:\/\/familylife.com\/blended\">FamilyLife Blended<\/a> and hosts the <a href=\"https:\/\/wp-stage.familylife.com\/www\/podcast\/familylife-blended-podcast\/\">FamilyLife Blended Podcast<\/a>. Find more resources for Blended Families: <a href=\"https:\/\/shop.familylife.com\/product\/the-smart-stepfamily\/\">https:\/\/shop.familylife.com\/product\/the-smart-stepfamily\/<\/a>.<\/li>\n<li>Listen to the full episode: <a href=\"https:\/\/wp-stage.familylife.com\/www\/podcast\/familylife-blended-podcast\/132-growing-up-blended-navigating-loss\/\">https:\/\/wp-stage.familylife.com\/www\/podcast\/familylife-blended-podcast\/132-growing-up-blended-navigating-loss\/<\/a><\/li>\n<li>Find resources from this podcast at <a href=\"https:\/\/shop.familylife.com\/product-category\/radio-resources\/\">shop.familylife.com<\/a>.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/shop.familylife.com\/product-category\/past-radio-resources\/\">See resources from our past podcasts.<\/a><\/li>\n<li>Find more content and resources on the <a href=\"https:\/\/wp-stage.familylife.com\/www\/app\/\">FamilyLife's app<\/a>!<\/li>\n<li>Help others find FamilyLife. Leave a review on <a href=\"https:\/\/podcasts.apple.com\/us\/podcast\/familylife-today\/id212174303\">Apple Podcast<\/a> or <a href=\"https:\/\/open.spotify.com\/show\/0j5UaKdQOHQCuo1bt0ebEm?si=d6dfa8d2415f4750\">Spotify<\/a>.<\/li>\n<li>Check out all the FamilyLife's podcasts on the <a href=\"https:\/\/wp-stage.familylife.com\/www\/familylife-podcast-network\/\">FamilyLife Podcast Network<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n","transcript_url":"https:\/\/transcript.familylife.com\/fl2024-10-02.pdf","transcript_content":"\nFamilyLife Today\u00ae with Dave and Ann Wilson - Web Version Transcript\r\n\r\nThis content has been generated by an artificial intelligence language model. While we strive for accuracy and quality, please note that the information provided will most likely not be entirely error-free or up-to-date. We recommend independently verifying the content with the originally-released audio. This transcript is provided for your personal use and general information purposes only. References to conferences, resources, or other special promotions may be obsolete. We do not assume any responsibility or liability for the use or interpretation of this content.\r\n\r\nChildhood Grief and Family Disruption\r\n\r\nGuests:Ron Deal and Scott Kedersha\r\n\r\nFrom the series:Childhood Grief and Family Disruption (Day 1 of 1)\r\n\r\nAir date:October 2, 2024\r\n\r\nScott:When I look back on my life, growing up, I think my mom did the absolute best that she could. I have no frustration, resentment. It was just, I'd say, superficial on the way that we communicated about life. And I don't blame her. I think she's just trying to get by and figure out: \u201cHow do we pay the bills and get kids to school?\u201d And so it was not a malicious thing, but we just never had a depth to our relationship.\r\n\r\nShelby: Welcome to FamilyLife Today, where we want to help you pursue the relationships that matter most. I'm Shelby Abbott, and your hosts are Dave and Ann Wilson. You can find us at FamilyLifeToday.com.\r\n\r\nAnn:This is FamilyLife Today!\r\n\r\nDave:Alright, Ann, I've got a question for you. \r\n\r\nAnn: Okay. \r\n\r\nDave: Do you think it's helpful for people to look back at their childhood, and think, \u201cMy parents did the best they could\u201d? I want to answer that for our kids, if they're listening, \u201cYes, you should do that.\u201d\r\n\r\nAnn: I think that that's a good thing. But I don't think we all come to that realization quickly. Like now, at this age, I can say my parents did the best they could; but I think a lot of us go through a phase that we see ourselves as being broken. We think, \u201cWhose fault is that? Oh, I know; it's my parents' fault!\u201d And so I think we can blame them, or blame our past circumstances on different things or people. But I think that's a grace statement: \u201cMy parents did the best they could.\u201d\r\n\r\nDave:And I think it takes time [for] healing\u2014\r\n\r\nAnn: \u2014maturity.\r\n\r\nDave:\u2014and maturity to get to that point. I honestly think almost every child\u2014we did\u2014goes through that sort of journey in their 30s. \r\n\r\nAnn: Me, too. \r\n\r\nDave: It may happen in their 20s; but for us, it was in their 30s. I started questioning everything about my childhood; and it took some time to get to a point where, \u201cYou know what? It was pretty broken\u2014divorce; blended family\u2014but they did the best they could.\u201d And again\u2014\r\n\r\nAnn: \u2014I hope our kids will say, \u201cThey did the best they could\u201d; because we did!\r\n\r\nDave:Yeah; I hope they\u2019d say the same thing. \r\n\r\nSo why do we bring that up? Because, today, we're going to listen to a portion of a FamilyLife Blended\u00ae podcast with Ron Deal. Many of you know this, but Ron directs our FamilyLife Blended\u00ae ministry. In fact, in just a couple of weeks, they are gathering leaders from all around the country together at the annual Summit on Stepfamily Ministry this year in Dallas, Texas. And you can, of course, still join Ron for that event; just go to SummitOnStepfamilies.com for more information. \r\n\r\nAnn: And then, today, we're going to hear some of Ron's conversation with Scott Kedersha. He's been on FamilyLife Today before.\r\n\r\nDave:I love this guy; I really do. \r\n\r\nAnn: I do, too. \r\n\r\nDave: He's amazing.\r\n\r\nAnn: He's the marriage pastor at Harris Creek Baptist Church in Waco, Texas. He's also authored two books for engaged couples, including Ready or Knot?\u2014spelled KNOT\u2014and he co-hosts the popular marriage podcast, More than Roommates. So he and his wife have four sons. And Scott grew up in a blended family, which is what Ron was talking with him about.\r\n\r\nDave:And I would say, \u201cOkay, if you're not a blended family, don't turn it off.\u201d Sometimes, you can think that: \u201cIt doesn't apply to me.\u201d This will apply to you. And I guarantee: \u201cIf it doesn't apply directly to you, you know somebody in your life who will be touched by stepfamily realities, eventually.\u201d So here's Ron and Scott.\r\n\r\n[Previous FamilyLife Blended Podcast]\r\n\r\nRon: My goodness, Scott, it's so good to have you with me. Thanks for being here, buddy. \r\n\r\nScott:Good to be here with you, Ron. I appreciate you so much and grateful for all the work you do. You're a good friend; it's good to be with friends.\r\n\r\nRon:Yeah, thank you. We are like-minded. The more I spend time with you, the more I know you're one of my peeps. \r\n\r\nScott: Yes, for sure; we have the same passion. \r\n\r\nRon: Speaking of passions, I know one of the reasons you're a marriage pastor is because you want to help children grow up with healthy families. You want them to have a healthy experience of marriage. You want them to have a model\/a healthy model of marriage when it comes time for them to start looking for life partners. Did you have a good model for marriage when you were growing up?\r\n\r\nScott: Yeah, that's a great question. I really didn't have that, growing up. So I grew up in New Jersey\u2014New Jersey and the northeast\u2014and my mom's name is Diane. She's amazing; and she was married to Dennis, my dad. My dad died\/Dennis died when I was young. So when I was four years old, he had a massive, massive heart attack. And it turned out he had something called\u2014it's a coarctation of the aorta\u2014the aorta wasn't working right, and so caused all these problems in his heart. He's out shoveling one day in the northeast, because it snows all the time there, and just had this massive heart attack\u2014and really, was in the hospital, in and out, for the next two years; and then, passed away\u2014he was 39 years old when he died. I was six; one little brother, who's two and a half years younger than me.\r\n\r\nAnd so my brother Chris and I grew up in a single-parent family home for a few years with my mom. Man, those were tough years for her\u2014really, really tough for her to lose her husband, whom she loved so much\u2014and trying to raise us two boys in a home without a dad, trying to just pay the bills; get by; figure out how to work, and provide, and take care of us. And so I really grew up largely, from the ages of four to ten, really without a dad in the home. Even though my dad was still around for a few years, it was really from the age of four through ten that we were essentially a dad-less home; because my dad was in the hospital and then passed.\r\n\r\nRon: Yeah. Hey, so I know it's hard sometimes; but I mean, what do you remember during those years?\u2014four to ten, for you and your brother?\u2014for you and your mom?\u2014just your family, what was a normal day?\r\n\r\nScott:Yeah, I remember a lot of people coming in and helping. And so we would go home with a friend every day. In some ways, it was really normal\u2014we played baseball, and played sports and soccer\u2014and we'd go hang out with extended family. I know there were times that we would go spend time with my aunt and uncle, which probably gave my mom a little break from just the challenges. I definitely remember being different than a lot of people around me, who had a mom and a dad. And I didn't have a relationship with Jesus, so I knew I was angry; I didn't know who I was angry at. \r\n\r\nAnd it was sad and hard for my mom. She was so young; she was 33 when my dad passed away. \r\n\r\nRon: How did grief get handled? I mean, so you remember seeing your mom sad. Do you remember feeling that way?\u2014your brother? Did you guys talk about dad once he had passed away?\u2014or I mean, how'd that go?\r\n\r\nScott:Yeah, such a good question. The way that emotions were handled is my mom would say, \u201cNever let anyone see you cry.\u201d And so I remember two things:\r\n\r\nOne was people saying: \u201cYou're, now, the man of the household.\u201d And so you're responsible for the home\u2014like  six-years-old and seven-year-old someone\u2014and there was no ill intent in that, but just having this weight and responsibility on me. \r\n\r\nAnd then, mom telling me: \u201cDon't let people see you cry. Don't let people see weakness.\u201d \r\n\r\nWe didn't really talk about it. There was no grief counseling; no one to come in and talk to us about it. It was just kind of like, \u201cHey, life moves on. We still have school, and baseball, and bills to pay; and life kind of happens and goes on.\u201d And so we never really processed it all.\r\n\r\nRon: I'm sitting here\u2014I got my family-therapist hat on\u2014and when mom says, \u201cOkay, here's the rule for how to do grief: \u2018Never let them see you cry.\u2019\u201d \r\n\r\nShe's also telling you how she wants to handle her pain.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nB) She's telling you: \u201cDon't let me see you cry,\u201d inadvertently. That's isolating\u2014I would think isolating you guys\u2014from one another and from grieving forward together.\r\n\r\nScott:I think what it led to was a lack of depth in our relationship of talking about things that really matter. I love deep relationships and deep conversations, and I want to know what's going on with people. I've been a marriage pastor for 17 years, and so I'm used to digging deep with people and love going deep myself. \r\n\r\nAnd so, when I look back on my life, growing up, I think my mom did the absolute best that she could. I have no frustration, resentment. It was just, I'd say, superficial on the way that we communicated about life. And I don't blame her. I think she's just trying to get by and figure out: \u201cHow do we pay the bills, and get kids to school, and sign all the forms, and do all the things?\u201d And so it was not a malicious thing, but we just never had a depth to our relationship.\r\n\r\nRon: Okay; so let's pick up the backstory. So around ten, did something change?\r\n\r\nScott: Yeah; so probably\u2014that's a great question\u2014I don't remember how old I was; but I bet I was probably nine or ten, probably nine. And all of a sudden, this guy starts showing up at our house; and his name is Bob. He actually just passed away probably six years ago. But my mom started hanging out with Bob\u2014and Robert, if you will\u2014and he was a sporting goods rep. He worked as a middleman between a sporting goods company and manufacturers in a sporting goods store. \r\n\r\nAnd so he would start showing up, and he knew how to connect with us. He was really, really great at that. And so he\u2019d come to take my mom out for a date. And we didn't really know what was going on, but we just knew they were spending time together. He was best friends with our next door neighbors. And so he was divorced\u2014had a son and two daughters, who were great\u2014still have a relationship with all three of them to this day. But they started hanging out with each other. He knew he was great at connecting with us, as kids: and so he'd bring a football; he'd bring a Frisbee; he'd bring us baseball cards.\r\n\r\nRon: I was going to say: \u201cSporting goods guy; he's got access to all the good stuff.\u201d\r\n\r\nScott:He did; he did. He knew how to connect. And in fact\u2014kind of a funny story\u2014I'll tell long story, short; but it's important. He would always go to these sporting goods shows. And so he'd be like the middleman between\u2014call it Nike and Dick's Sporting Goods\u2014and so Nike would come out with a new product, and Dick's would want to sell it. He would bring the new product to Dick's, say, \u201cHere's what it is. You want to buy this number of them at this many stores.\u201d \r\n\r\nEvery year they would have these big conventions, where all the manufacturers would get together with and just promote all their new stuff. And so humongous show, like at the Chicago Convention Center, and all these big convention centers. And my dad would go to these shows\u2014and he would represent the companies\u2014find out what's going on; come back home with all the things everyone needs to buy at the stores.\r\n\r\nBut the coolest thing is that, every show, there are all these famous athletes that were there who represented the company. So if it's 2023, Steph Curry is representing Under Armour; and LeBron is representing Nike. Back in the day, it was all of the best and biggest athletes. And so he would come home with a stack of signed autographs for me\u2014personalized notes\u2014that go, like, \u201cHey, Scott, I hope you have a great baseball game on Monday;\u2014 \r\n\r\nRon: That's awesome! \r\n\r\nScott: \u2014\u201cyou're playing the Giants,\u201d and it would be signed by Pete Rose. I mean, Marvin Hagler; all the best football players. And over the years, he just did a great job of collecting autographs for us; and it was just his way of building a relationship with us. And so I was like, \u201cI don't know who this guy is, but he's bringing me footballs and baseballs, and autographs; and so he must be okay.\u201d He did a really good job of building a relationship with us. \r\n\r\nNow, fast forward, it turns out I found out\u2014literally, in his last days of life\u2014that he forged most of those autographs. So I don't recommend lying to build a relationship with your kids.\r\n\r\nRon: Okay, pro tip for the listener and the viewer: \u201cDon\u2019t lie.\u201d \r\n\r\nScott:Yes; \u201cDon\u2019t lie.\u201d\r\n\r\n[Studio]\r\n\r\nAnn: Okay; wow, that was a good life lesson there. And you're listening to FamilyLife Today. We're listening to a portion of the Family Life Blended podcast with Ron Deal and guest, Scott Kedersha.\r\n\r\nDave:And I got to say, as funny as that story is, I've actually done that. \r\n\r\nAnn: What?!\r\n\r\nDave: Often, in 33 years with the Detroit Lions, I would get confused with our kicker, Jason Hanson. We look alike, but I'm 15 years older. I remember one time, going in and out of the locker room after a game; and this woman kept saying, \u201cJason, Jason, give me your autograph.\u201d And I'm like, \u201cMa'am, I'm not Jason.\u201d And I went into the locker room; I came back: \u201cJason\u2026\u201d I go, \u201cReally; I'm not Jason.\u201d And so the third time I came out, she goes, \u201cYou're supposed to be a Christian, and you're lying to me!\u201d I'm like, \u201cOkay, give me your thing.\u201d And I just signed it. I went in, and said, Jason, \u201cHey, I have to tell you I signed your name.\u201d He goes, \u201cOh, I'm glad you made me look better.\u201d \r\n\r\nBut anyway, hearing Scott talk about that, I'm glad he is laughing about it now;\u2014 \r\n\r\nAnn: Me, too.\r\n\r\nDave: \u2014because that could have been a terrible moment for [him] and his dad. \r\n\r\nBut anyway, we're going to go back and hear Ron and Scott talk some more. You're going to love what he shares next.\r\n\r\n[Previous FamilyLife Blended Podcast]\r\n\r\nRon: You may not remember a moment\u2014and really, I think for a lot of kids, there's not a moment\u2014there's just: \u201cI wake up one day, and I'm somehow okay with this person in my life.\u201d Did that happen for you?\r\n\r\nScott:Yes, for sure. And I want to say two things: one along the way; and then one, as I look back:\r\n\r\nAlong the way, one thing I saw my dad do really well\/stepdad do really well is the way he loved my mom. \r\n\r\nAnd then, he\u2014because he was on his own for a few years\u2014he learned to do everything on his own: so he cooked; did laundry; took care of the house, the car, the yard, and vacuumed. There was no job that was beneath him; there was no job that was a woman's job. There was no job that was \u201cfor her to do and not for me to do.\u201d He did everything. \r\n\r\nAnd I remember\u2014I mean, that affects me, now, looking back and seeing\u2014\u201cOkay, there's not stuff that Kristen does;\u201d\u2014my wife\u2014\"and there's stuff that I do. There's stuff that we do.\u201d She might do it more often than me; because I have a full-time job, where I get paid. She's a stay-at-home mom, who works part-time; but we do things together. And so I learned a lot from my stepdad in that there's work that takes place in a home, and you both do it. \r\n\r\nAnd I love that mentality that I grew up with\u2014we don't need to get into all the whole theological debate of complimentary, egalitarian, and all that\u2014I still believe I'm the leader of our home, but we split up the job; it's our work to do together. So I'm very thankful for that. \r\n\r\nAnd then I think where the light bulb came on was when I became a follower of Jesus. I looked back, and I said, \u201cThey messed up at times, and they didn't do things perfectly. I really do believe they loved us. My mom loves us; my stepdad loved us. They did the best that they could in spite of the challenges of my stepdad\u2014had two new sons to love and to raise\u2014and he still had a biological son and still had two biological daughters.\u201d \r\n\r\nHe had the challenges of navigating co-parenting with his ex, who was really, really difficult at times. And he was dealing with the hurts from his three biological children, because mom and dad got divorced. And so when I look back, I am just so much more sympathetic and empathetic to the challenges that they walked through. They didn't do it perfect; I don't do it perfect, and so I could show some grace, and really be grateful, and not just focus on all the things that they did incorrectly or could have done better. I think they really did do the best they could.\r\n\r\nRon: You mentioned his kids. I'm curious: \u201cHow was your step-sibling relationship? Were they around your age? How'd that connection go?\u201d\r\n\r\nScott:Yes, they're all a little bit older. So my brother's three years younger than me; and then, my step-siblings are probably anywhere from five to fifteen years older. And so we never grew up in the same home; they lived with their mom. And then, my stepbrother was already out of the house by the time they got divorced\u2014but my stepdad and his first wife\u2014so we never lived in the same home together. We spent time together on holidays, and that's it. \r\n\r\nI would not say we've ever been close. And then, I moved away to go to college when I was 18. I've been away\u2014far away from New Jersey\u2014for 32 years now. And so we'll still keep up on social media; we'll still text. And they're great\u2014there's no animosity\u2014no broken relationship or frustration. I would just say we don't have a really deep relationship with each other; but again, I'm so grateful for who they are and for the relationship we have. It's just not a really deep relationship. I know it could have been a whole lot worse, and I'm thankful just for who they are and the relationships we have.\r\n\r\nRon: As I'm listening to you, I'm thinking, \u201cWe've had a number of people write into our ministry, and say, \u2018Okay, we've got adult children [and] young adult children. They don't spend a lot of time together. We really want them to think of each other as family. What can we do to fix all that?\u2019\u201d I always tell them, \u201cWell, first off, it's not up to you. They have to find their authentic, genuine connections. And some of them will have more interest in developing those relationships than others.\u201d\r\n\r\nBut as somebody who's walked that path, what would you say to a parent, who's anxious about it for the stepchildren and step-siblings?\r\n\r\nScott: Yeah, that's a great question. I would say almost exactly what you said, Ron, that you can't force it. You can't make us have a relationship with them. We all have our own lives\u2014we're busy\u2014and again, we were older. It's not like we grew up in the same home together; I think that brings some additional challenges and opportunities that we didn't have. And I'm okay with the level of relationship we have\u2014we\u2019re thousands of miles apart\u2014it would be difficult to maintain a really strong relationship, and so I don't have any heartache over that. \r\n\r\nAnd every family's going to be different on what the dynamics look like\u2014how much time they get together\u2014but I know they definitely could not force it to happen, especially given where we all live geographically now.\r\n\r\n[Studio]\r\n\r\nDave:Well, we've been listening to a portion of the Family Life Blended podcast with Scott Kedersha and Ron Deal. Ron is now joining us in the studio. So Ron, first of all, let me say this: \u201cLike all parents, Scott's stepdad didn't do everything right; but he did do some things right.\u201d\r\n\r\nRon: Yes, he did. And he left a lasting impression in Scott's life, because he worked hard to connect. And that's our little rule of thumb, right?\u2014\u201cConnect before you correct,\u201d\u2014that's really important for stepparents, especially in the beginning. And he did that, and it made a big difference in who Scott is today.\r\n\r\nAnn: Well, what about Scott's comment, Ron\u2014just when he said, \u201cLooking back, his parents did the best they could,\u201d\u2014is that a good thing for us to do?\r\n\r\nRon: Yeah, I do think it is. I think all of us have to\u2014well, you guys said it at the top [of the broadcast]\u2014we have to grow up to a place, where we reflect back on our childhoods, and process it in light of who we are, now, as an adult. And oftentimes\u2014I don\u2019t know about you guys\u2014but that, for me, really happened when I started having children. Now, I'm thinking about my role as a dad; that makes me think about my dad. That's a good season of life, where we look back, and consider and think about and process. \r\n\r\nThe difficulties of our childhoods, I think, really come into light at that point; because now, we're trying to make decisions about: \u201cWhat am I going to pass on to my kids? Am I going to repeat that same stuff, or what am I going to let go of?\u201d I think that's really important. We get intentional about keeping the good and trying to not repeat what's not so good. \r\n\r\nI do want to add this\u2014I think, sometimes, the looking back: \u201cDid my parents do the best they could?\u201d\u2014for some people, that's making an excuse. It's sort of like their defenses are up, and they just don't want to face some of the painful things that happened to them in their childhood\u2014and so [they feel] they're giving their parents an out. And this is not so much about letting your parents off the hook; this is about: \u201cAre you wrestling with the things that are difficult and hard in your life?\u2014the things that maybe you need to bring some forgiveness to in the things that are painful?\u201d And if you're just going to write it off, and pretend as if that didn't happen, well, then, you're really not going to process it well. And here's the irony: I think you're more likely to repeat it with your own children.\r\n\r\nAnn: Give us an example of that, Ron.\r\n\r\nRon: Quick-temper: that's one I wrestled with when I started having children. All of a sudden, I look back, and I go: \u201cYeah, my dad had a quick temper,\u201d and \u201cHe could come out strong, and how did I feel?\u201d And then, you kind of go, \u201cYeah; well, that made me feel small and inadequate.\u201d And that's something I've held onto for a long time. I'm still working on that one, right now, in my life, as a matter of fact: \u201cSo am I going to repeat this with my kids?\u201d \u201cNope; I don't want to. I better get a handle on that temper. I better go to work on me.\u201d \r\n\r\nSo it's partly\u2014looking back\u2014it's not all about blaming them and sending all this negative thoughts towards your parents. It's not that at all. It's more about: \u201cWhat am I carrying forward?\u201d and \u201cWhat do I do about it?\u201d\r\n\r\nDave:Yeah, and I think one of the ways you heal, as a son or daughter, is to communicate\/to talk about it. I don't know if you've ever heard us share the story, Ron; but my dad, the first few months after we got married comes to our house. We're in our 20s; we have dinner. We sit down in our little tiny apartment. Ann looks across at him, and says, \u201cHey, we've heard Dave's mom's perspective on the divorce. We've never heard yours. How do you remember that?\u201d And I'm sitting there\u2014I, literally, grab Ann's knee\u2014because we have never, not one time, talked about this\u2014\r\n\r\nAnn: \u2014as your family.\r\n\r\nDave:\u2014ever. It's not allowed; we had an unwritten rule: \u201cYou just keep quiet.\u201d And so I'm grabbing Ann, like: \u201cYou don't ask my dad that,\u201d and \u201cHe's going to hate that question; he's not even going to respond.\u201d \r\n\r\nAnd he looks over at us; he goes, \u201cWow; nobody's ever asked me.\u201d And so we had this conversation. I remember, as I listened to my dad, I felt empathy and compassion. It began a journey, I think for me, to forgive\u2014because like, \u201cOh, my goodness; I had no idea,\u201d\u2014because we never talked. And so there was some of that growing up, right there, just like: \u201cIt's a good thing to talk through those things to try to understand what your parents did right and did wrong.\u201d\r\n\r\nRon: \u2014especially since the point of view that we come to, as children, is often immature and not very complete. And we didn't know all the factors going into what was happening with our parents. And so putting some adult conversation, if I could call it that, on top of what you believed was true is really helpful and illuminating. Anybody, who's a parent, knows you go through all kinds of stuff. Your kids have no idea what you go through, and how you think about their life, and what you're going to do and not do. So processing our parents: it's good to add that to our thoughts.\r\n\r\nDave:Yeah; well, thanks Ron. That was a great conversation with Scott and a lot of learnings, even for us today. \r\n\r\nAnn: Yeah, for sure. Thanks, Ron. We appreciate all that you're doing.\r\n\r\nRon: Thank you. \r\n\r\nDave: Did today's episode hit home with you? I'll tell you what: we get it,\u2014\r\n\r\nAnn: \u2014 because raising kids can be hard. Sometimes, we have more questions than answers. So listen to what we did: we've pulled together some of our most helpful parenting pieces into one spot.\r\n\r\nDave:And you can grab your free copy, right now. Let me tell you how: go to FamilyLife.com\/ParentingHelp. Again, let me say that: FamilyLlife.com\/ParentingHelp; and you'll get some of the best stuff we have on parenting.\r\n\r\nShelby: I'm Shelby Abbott; and you've been listening to Dave and Ann Wilson, with Ron Deal, as he was talking with Scott Kedersha on FamilyLife Today. The Summit on Stepfamily Ministry is coming up very soon. It's from October 10th to the 11th, happening in Plano, Texas, right outside of Dallas. You can get your tickets right now by going to SummitOnStepfamilies.com. Join us for a few impactful days of excellent talks from the main stage, insightful breakouts, and networking opportunities with ministry leaders from across the nation. Again, you could head over to SummitOnStepfamilies.com to learn more. \r\n\r\nNow, coming up tomorrow, Dave and Ann Wilson are actually going to be interviewed themselves by Teresa Whiting, because the Wilsons were on her podcast to share their ten-year anniversary story. You don't want to miss that coming up tomorrow. On behalf of David Ann Wilson, I'm Shelby Abbott. We'll see you back next time for another edition of FamilyLife Today. \r\n\r\nFamilyLife Today is a donor-supported production of FamilyLife\u00ae, a Cru\u00ae Ministry. \r\n\r\nHelping you pursue the relationships that matter most.\r\n\r\nIf you\u2019ve benefited from the FamilyLife Today transcripts, would you consider donating today to help defray the costs of producing them and making them available online?  \r\n\r\nCopyright \u00a9 2024 FamilyLife. All rights reserved.\r\n\r\nwww.FamilyLife.com                                 \r\n\r\n\n","theme_header_position":"Sticky","post_header_is_sticky":"default","is_header_overlay":"0"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/wp-stage.familylife.com\/www\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/podcast\/298480","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/wp-stage.familylife.com\/www\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/podcast"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/wp-stage.familylife.com\/www\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/podcast"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wp-stage.familylife.com\/www\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/47000"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wp-stage.familylife.com\/www\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=298480"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wp-stage.familylife.com\/www\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/280865"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/wp-stage.familylife.com\/www\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=298480"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wp-stage.familylife.com\/www\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=298480"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wp-stage.familylife.com\/www\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=298480"},{"taxonomy":"podcast_series","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wp-stage.familylife.com\/www\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/podcast_series?post=298480"},{"taxonomy":"cwp_profile","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wp-stage.familylife.com\/www\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/cwp_profile?post=298480"},{"taxonomy":"series","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wp-stage.familylife.com\/www\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/series?post=298480"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}