Fighting for Family

The Relentless Pursuit of Building Belonging

By: Chris Bennett, Julie Bennett

Narrated by: Chris Bennett, Julie Bennett, Roma Downey

Length: 5 hrs and 20 mins

Publisher's summary

Read by the authors.

A husband-and-wife team put their philosophy of “We don’t quit on family” into action, demonstrating how to combat isolation, build healthy relationships, and fight for (not with!) the ones you love, right where you are.

When Chris and Julie Bennett and their four kids decided to move from Norman, Oklahoma, to Los Angeles, California, they knew they were setting out on a great adventure. They’d be leaving behind the church Chris and Julie had pastored, the comfort of their community, and the familiarity of their daily routines, but the new city promised to bring some much-needed change. Most of all, they looked forward to connecting with others in one of the most disconnected cities in the United States.

What they didn’t expect was how this adventure—complicated by a cancer diagnosis, a relapse, and a worldwide pandemic—would challenge their notions of what it means to care for each other well, both as a nuclear family and as part of a broader community. It turns out that becoming family is stressful, messy, exhausting—and absolutely, totally worth fighting for.

In a time when so many suffer from loneliness and it feels like developing authentic relationships is impossible, Chris and Julie invite you to step into their story to discover the fundamentals that lead to healthy, thriving families and friendships. You’ll discover the power of embracing vulnerability, accepting imperfection, and extending forgiveness, while finding fulfillment through enforcing boundaries and honoring and serving others.

Whether you are looking to build your own community from scratch or strengthen your existing connections, Fighting for Family will inspire you to go all in on your relationships, no matter what your circumstances.

Questions for reflection can be found in the audiobook companion PDF download.

©2024 Chris Bennett and Julie Bennett (P)2024 Harper Horizon

A MUST READ ❤️

Thank you so much for opening up and sharing your personal feelings, challenges, and experiences of overcoming difficult situations and finding forgiveness. It takes tremendous strength to express your truth, and I truly appreciate your honesty. Your words are powerful and have touched me deeply. Thank you for trusting me with your story.

We all have mess!

Goodness, Chris and Julie are able to put words to so many family struggles and it is encouraging to hear how to adjust your thought pattern to give grace and love. Hearing the authors read their own words is such a treat. They are real, raw and honest! This is a book for us all….whether you think you need it or not. It will bless you!!! It’s full of many nuggets of wisdom!

Navigating and adjusting friendships or expectations

Wonderful book, loved the story line and the unraveling little pieces into the authors own lives and experiences. Fighting for family is a must read or listen to if you get the chance.

Amazing, inspiring and practical

Such an amazing story told with such vulnerability and inspiring faith. We need more people like Chris and Julie of those who fight for family

Authentic encouragement for a life well lived

Chris and Julie do an amazing job narrating. You feel like you’re sitting with them on a cozy couch and hearing their story. They remind us in their story that we are all “practicing” in this life, no matter how much experience we have. Their take always are that we are to :honor all, embrace vulnerability, be humble, make boundaries, forgive daily, and serve freely.
I wish this book had been written when our 4 children were little. They share their authentic story of living life, failing, trying again, and recalibrating many times.
We have many combinations that make up “family.” I don’t want to miss connections with
people in my future, so I’m encouraged to serve others and seek relationships now! Listen to the book and be blessed!

Encouraging listen

A reminder that people blow it (duh) but serving others is a win win no matter the inconvenience. This book was a pep talk for my parts that can get tired!

So raw. So real. So refreshing.

I laughed. I woah’ed. I sighed deep breaths of relief and validation. I rewound multiple lines to write them down and memorize them. I felt part of their story and at times like I was actually there. Excellent story telling and soul cracking vulnerability. I will probably mark this down as one to read over and over as a foundational must as I fight for family in my own community.

Must Read

This is such an inspiring, encouraging, and challenging book! The authors tell great stories that bring hope.

An incredible journey of family

This audio book is incredible. The authors narrated the book making it even more personal. The book itself takes the topic of family to an entirely different level. It calls us all to look at family through different lenses. It is a fresh look at what it means to be family, even in a single community. The wisdom they have gained from a lot of experience (good and bad) brings such incredible insight. This audio book is well worth the listen!!