Finding Home: An Imperfect Path to Faith and Family

by Jim Daly

“I should be insane—or in jail.”

Instead, Jim Daly, President and CEO of Focus on the Family managed to rise above his harrowing childhood that began in the Compton suburb of Los Angeles. In this deeply personal memoir, he relives horrors no child should endure. A bloodcurdling neighborhood murder merely serves as the backdrop to the abuse and alcoholism within the four walls of his own home, a cycle broken only by the cancer that leaves him motherless. Orphaned by twelve, he somehow managed to catch enough glimpses of grace that he knew he wanted more, both from himself and from a God he had to believe existed.

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Genres: Christian, Autobiography, Biography, Nonfiction, Religion, Memoir

232 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2007

About the author

Jim Daly (born July 22, 1961) is the head of Focus on the Family, an international Christiancommunications ministry based in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Daly is also the main host of the Focus on the Family radio program.

Daly grew up in Southern California. He was abandoned by his alcoholic father at age 5, and orphaned by his mother's death from cancer when he was 9. He was then placed in a foster home, initially in Morongo Valley California, until he moved in with his older brothers and then with his father, who eventually turned back to alcohol and died. By the time that Daly was a senior in high school, he was living on his own.

Daly experienced a Christian conversion at 15 while attending a camp run by the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. He went on to study at California State University, San Bernardino, and eventually earned his Master of Business Administration from Regis University.

Daly worked in the paper industry until he was recruited to join Focus on the Family, at one-third of his six-figure private sector pay.

He has served at Focus for 16 years in a variety of positions before ascending to the presidency.

Reviews

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

“ I am not responsible for the actions of others”. Very enlightening. His journey was awful, but not unlike so many people. We all have terrible stories in our past. I am inspired to relook at my journey to this point in my life and realize I have had a guiding hand along the way.

[Ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mixed feelings. This man, who later became the CEO of Focus on the Family, had a terrible childhood. It should have been one of those inspirational books that is greatly moving to the reader. However, I did not care for the layout of the book. The first 195 pages are about the terrors and neglect of his childhood; then in 30 pages he wraps up his salvation, marriage, children, and being promoted at Focus on the Family. On one page he meets his wife; on the next he talks about being married for 20 years. Then he spends several pages detailing her labors with their two boys. He also tries to be "cute" at times, which doesn't really fit the book. I'm so glad that this man found the Lord and found a stable life, but the writing didn't put the book over to me.

[Stacy · Rating 5 out of 5]

WARNING: you won't be able to put this book down!! I had heard bits and pieces of Jim Daly's story on the radio show, "Focus on the Family" but I always wanted to hear the whole story. I knew he had a tragic childhood, but I had no idea how tough it was! This story will encourage and inspire you! I'm so thankful God saved Jim and it is so wonderful to see how God is using his trials for great things! I adore him on the radio and I am grateful he is leading one of my favorite organizations, Focus on the Family!!

[Ashley Jackson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked reading this autobiography of Jim Daly's life. It shows how Good can work even through the worst of circumstances.

[Rebecca J. Hardy · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a Southern California native, I enjoyed reading about Daly’s childhood in places I’m very familiar with or have lived in. The story was written well and keeps the reader engaged. My only complaint is that it is not written chronically, so it is hard to get into the scene. Especially with so many different living situations, it was hard to keep track of where he was in the story.
Other than that, it was an interesting read and I appreciate that he pointed everything back to God’s work in his life.

[Naomi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jim Daly's story completely sucked me in. His early life explains why he has led Focus on the Family the way that he has and how kind he sounds on the radio. It was good to see how the hardest things through God can be used for the greatest things.

[Natalie Ezelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing

Absolutely an amazing book. I think every person needs to get a copy, today. It’s contents are hard to pathos, yet relayed so articulately. His story points us to the Cross. Thank you, Jim, for this book, this gift, and your transparency. God is using it for His glory.

[Peter Harrington · Rating 5 out of 5]

I gave this book five stars as it was a very good true biography that was interesting and insightful.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book! Everyone should read it! Awesome to see God's provision and the human spirit and resilience at work.

[Tami · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finding a Home (literally and figuratively) for Jim Daly was not an easy task. Jim was the youngest of five children. His parents had met at Alcoholic Anonymous and alcoholism became an ongoing theme for the couple, particularly for Jim's father. Realizing that she had to choose between her children and her own issues, Jim's mom left his father and fled with the children. She had to work several jobs at a time just to make ends meet.

Then tragedy struck. Jim's mom got sick. None of the kids really understood what was going on until cancer took her life. At this point, in their step-father abandoned them and left them to fend for themselves. Finding a place to live was difficult enough but the real trouble was finding a home.

Finding Home is a wonderful read. The author's purpose for writing the book is to share his life lessons with the reader. In this, he provides a very open and honest story. He has been extremely careful to show his life in a balanced way: the good times and the bad times, his mistakes and his misjudgements, and the many times when grace stepped in. Extremely inspirational.

[Alicia Willis · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the true story of Jim Daly's, the CEO of Focus on the Family, upbringing. It was an interesting story and had some twists along the way that showed God's care and protection. I enjoyed his perspectives as a child and found many of his adventures similar to what my own Dad went through.

Personally, though the story was great, I think the ending was too rushed. He spent 85% of the book on his childhood, then flew through his marriage, his promotion to CEO, and his adult life in general. I would have been interested in learning more about his wife and boys, and how he actually applies "focusing on the family" to his lifestyle.

All in all, this was a good read. I would recommend it to adults or youth interested in real life stories.

[Janna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mr Daly recounts the story of his childhood living with an alcoholic, a single mom, a step parent, a foster family, and even just siblings.

It was a thought-provoking read and one I could finish in a couple of hours. I have to admit when I neared the end I was bored with the "where I am today" after the sensation of the childhood. But the lessons he draws from life, his optimistic attitude, and God's obvious hand in it all breathe encouragement to all.

I recommend this book to foster kids, foster parents, associations, and pretty much anyone who survived a troubled childhood. God has a plan and is at work even when it seems as if His behind-the-scenes is too off-stage to be for real.

[Kendra · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a great story about a boy who had such a dysfunctional home life but came out on the other side without bitterness, anger or resentment. While I expected this to be less of a memoir and more of a self-help book, it was still a great story with a heart-warming ending. I really encourage anyone who has ever struggled with having a dysfunctional family to read this one. It's encouraging to know that someone can have this kind of experience and still come out okay in the end :)

[Janice · Rating 4 out of 5]

I very much enjoyed reading this biography of the current President of Focus on the Family. It is amazing how he was protected from turning into a bitter and messed up young man after all the disappointments and difficulties he endured. I love reading how God uses difficult circumstances for the best.

[Lisa Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Absolutely humbling! If you have ever felt sorry for yourself, or felt your situation was less than desirable, you will find healing in the book. Jim Daly's story is almost unbelievable. You are drawn in on th edge of your seat to see what on earth could happen next. And just when you think he couldn't endure one thing more, he does. By the grace of God, he endures and rises above.

[Mary A · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jim Daly had every reason to be angry and bitter about what life had dealt him but instead he chose to make lemonade from life's lemons. This book opened my heart in a greater measure to what it really means to be part of a blended family.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this book was honest and humble, like the man who wrote it. It was especially inspiring to me, having come from a broken home. It shows how God makes people into who He wants them to be...despite the obstacles.

[Elzbeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book just goes to show how God take take the ruin from one child’s life and use it to make a huge impact on many others. It shows how one word, deed or meeting can impact someone’s life forever.

[AJourneyWithoutMap · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jim Daly's story is a must-read for all. It tells you that when a life is led in obedience to the will and call of God, He can show you great things and fulfill much in and through your life.

[Shelley · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a refreshing read! Jim Daly has certainly experienced every family hardship I could imagine and has emerged a better person.

[Erin Mross · Rating 2 out of 5]

eh. a little too religious for my liking

[Mukkove Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jim tells an amazing story, his story, God's story of pursuing redemptive love. Well worth the read!

[Martha · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is wonderful. It's a story full of hope.

[Tcw4918 · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an inspiring book.

[Aaron Hutmacher]

This book was excellent. I love the fact that he gives an example of not using his past to determine his future.

[Wendy Hawkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's always good to hear the background of people who run Christ centered organizations. Daly's story is remarkable and inspiring. Worth the read.

[Selina · Rating 5 out of 5]

From where Jim started from to where he is now, "Who Woulda Thunk It?"
You have to read the book to understand the quotation. Well worth the time if you know and support Focus on the Family!!

[Deborah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good, encouraging book about what God can do with the brokenness in our lives--how he uses our most painful experiences for His purpose.

[Ronda Kinnett · Rating 5 out of 5]

A blessing!

This is a wonderful story of God's love and tender guidance through pain and heartache. Highly recommended for those questioning God's love in hard times.

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heartwrenching, unbelievable (yet true), and inspiring all at the same time.