Julie and Chris Bennett have spent the majority of their 23 years of marriage working in vocational ministry. Through overwhelming challenges- a cancer diagnosis, a relapse, and a pandemic- they have learned how to fight for the things that matter and devote themselves to helping others do the same.
Today, they are the founders of Welcome Home Lifestyle which exists to create and promote content that celebrates all things family. Their new book Fighting For Family: The Relentless Pursuit of Building Belonging, was just released in March and is all about embracing togetherness in a time when so many suffer from loneliness.
I’m so excited to dive into the heart of their new book with you and talk about how vulnerability, intentionality, and grace play pivotal roles in nurturing healthy relationships, whether with family, chosen family, or friends.
2:50 – Chris and Julie 101
- Met at 19 and married at 21
- Working in ministry in Oklahoma
- A calling to move their family to LA
- Julie’s stage 3 breast cancer diagnosis
- Challenges after the move + writing a book
7:34 – Guided By Faith
- Life is not linear
- Trusting God's plan and remembering His track record
- Inviting children into the journey and allowing space for emotions
- Relying on His guidance
16:57 – Cultivating a Healthy Family Culture
- Chasing after a healthy family instead of a perfect family
- The greenhouse effect at home
- Modeling vulnerability and self-awareness as parents
- Remembering God’s faithfulness
28:37 – Building Belonging
- The 3 commitments for healthy relationships
- Creating space for understanding, vulnerability, and belonging
- Being intentional about building relationships
- Connecting with Chris and Julie
FEATURED QUOTES
“We find out what we really believe about God, not when we get answers- it's when we're tested.”
“The idea of a greenhouse is that no matter what is happening externally- if it's scorching heat, if it's freezing cold, if it's raining- inside that greenhouse is a culture that things can grow year-round. And so we know that our kids are being exposed to all types of things. The world we're living in is very difficult for our kids… so we've tried to create this greenhouse effect at home.”
“Remembering what God did yesterday is what gives us faith for tomorrow.”
“Belonging is not something that you find, it’s something that you bring… people are able to do that and bring belonging when we give space for not having it all together and being messy.”
Learn more about Chris and Julie:
Fighting for Family
https://www.fightingforfamily.org/
Get your copy of Fighting For Family
Julie on Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/juliebennett_/
Chris on Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/chrisbennett143/
Chris and Julie on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/chrisandjuliebennett/
Connect with me:
http://www.stillbeingmolly.com
http://instagram.com/stillbeingmolly
http://instagram.com/canilaughpod
http://twitter.com/stillbeingmolly
http://facebook.com/stillbeingmolly
http://facebook.com/canilaughpod
http://tiktok.com/@stillbeingmolly
GET YOUR COPY of ‘IF I DON’T LAUGH, I’LL CRY” TODAY:
Barnes & Noble: https://bit.ly/IIDLICbn
Amazon: https://amzn.to/48VYFkG
ChristianBook: https://bit.ly/IIDLICcb
Target: https://bit.ly/3Shh3Q2
Walmart: https://bit.ly/3MmGVpJ
Indie Bound: https://bit.ly/IIDLICib
Audible: https://amzn.to/3ITcdm8
Kindle: https://amzn.to/3ITaSvv
About Can I Laugh On Your Shoulder?
Can I Laugh On Your Shoulder? Podcast is a weekly podcast where we have honest conversations about faith, business, life, and everything in between. Hosted by speaker and author, Molly Stillman, her mission is to make you laugh, cry, and laugh till you cry. She wants to create a community of people who are unafraid to be themselves and have honest conversations about the things that matter most. Her vision is to create a safe space for people to explore their faith and share their stories and gifts with the world.
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