I was talking with a friend the other day.. We were talking about the challenges we face raising our children... The values and beliefs we try to teach them... The rights and wrongs of life... We try to give enough freedom so that they can learn and grow - but also set boundaries so that they will not stray too far from home..
As children and teenagers - our kids learn from our example... When our children go off to college - then they learn from their teacher's example... My hope and prayer is that my children will be strong in their beliefs and in their convictions and not change what they stand for because it is the popular thing to do... I hope and I pray that my girls will continue to weigh right and wrong and always choose right...
My friend was saddened because her son's belief system is completely different from when he was home... The Christian values they held as a family were tossed away.... because one professor told her son that there was no God.... and because there was no God - then everything that they had known to be true was also false...
Challenging ideas and beliefs is part of growing up.. I think.... In making their own decisions, they find themselves or at times lose themselves in the decisions they make... But this is something they must do to become strong in their adult life - it's part of breaking away from the apron strings.... and during this time we need to continue to love.... continue to support... continue to show our beliefs by example... Shoving our belief system down our child's throats will not help ... They grew up in our homes.. they already know what we believe even though they may act like they forgot... We need to continue to be their parents... continue to just be ourselves...
The Bible says that if we raise our children in the right direction... they may stray from the path... but they will find their way back.. So my job today, is to continue raising my children in the ways of the Lord... Give them their freedom inch by inch and pray for them everyday...
It has to be one of the most painful things to see you child turn away from God. I know people who have had this happen and they just keep praying. One of my friends was recently given such joy when her daughter turned her life over to God, after years of prayer.
ReplyDeleteI didn't get a chance to comment on your blog yesterday so I will comment on both here instead. In this case, one comment will fit both. I believe that's a fear that all God-fearing parents have in regards to their children. It's possible that the Lord may be using your fight for your marriage as a faith-keeping example for your children. When divorce is running rampant in families today, those who fight against it have a strong message in their fight. Stay strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Be real with your faith in front of your children.
ReplyDeleteThis is perhaps the reason why the Lord wants us, parents, to always tell our children about Him. For the children to grow up with reverential fear to the Lord is what will guide them with their decision making, especially when we're not around.
ReplyDeleteOur children do need our prayer covering. Especially against the works of our spiritual enemies who are always ready to destroy something that will be for His glory. May the Lord protect our children and give them discernment. God bless sister. Be strong in the Lord's mighty power.
Amen sista, this is so my house! My second son went away to college and came back stating that he no longer believed in God. Does this make him a bad person? Nope, he still is the great, polite man that I raised. His older brother and him will get into religious discussions and my hopes and prayers are that the oldest will be able to get him to have faith again. Until then, my house is still a religious house, we still pray and thank God for his blessings. He will sit and watch us pray but not participate. So at least he is being respectful to our beliefs.
ReplyDeleteKelly,
ReplyDeleteIt is one of the biggest challenges facing parents today is what happens when our children leave home and start lives of their own. We can only pray for them, keep the lines of communication open and hope that we've done the best with the time we were given, we have to trust that God will care for them.
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Love and Hugs ~ Kat
I obviously strayed (you commented on my blog regarding that actually -- and thank you for such a sweet and thoughtful comment), but I am so thankful God welcomed me back with open arms. I have no doubt my homecoming was due to the prayers of family members.
ReplyDeleteNice post Kelly. I'm still waiting for my child to come back! God's in control, it's all in His hands! I just have to have faith and trust He will take care of her.
ReplyDeleteWow, I pray about this same thing every night, in hopes that my only child will not stray and that if he does that God will wrap his arms around him always and protect him until he does figure it out and returns. I guess that is really all we can do is keep our faith and know whatever is...is God's will.
ReplyDeleteGreat Post!
Yours in Health, Robin