Mike was one of those dads who did everything right. The kind that makes the rest of us feel like slouches – and he knows it.
But the last time I saw Mike he was a broken man. One of his two grown sons rejected the faith and was abusing every drug and girl he could find. What happened? Mike didn’t know and it made no sense to me.
But the more Mike opened up the more one thing became clear.
There is a subtle danger that every conscientious Christian parent faces –
one we need to continually guard against.
The more effort we put into parenting the easier it is to become a bit arrogant about it.
I’m “training my kids the way they should go”.
There’s no way they’ll turn out like everybody else’s rotten kids.
As a young dad I received this counsel, “Your children’s salvation will always be a result of God’s grace and not your parenting skills.” They went on to remind me that ultimately it’s up to my child to respond positively to God’s grace.
Even to this day I’m aware that:
- It’s my job to represent God to my family the best way I can but
- it’s up to them to choose to serve the Lord.
I have no guarantees my kids won’t flip out even now and reject everything I believe in.
For that matter, I have no guarantees I won’t flip out and turn from God.
So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall! – 1 Corinthians 10:12
I need His presence and power every step of the way.
What am I saying?
- I have to remain humble and grateful.
God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble. – James 4:6
I don’t want God opposing me and I need all the grace I can get. Humility is the key – recognizing that if my kids are loving me and loving God it’s because HE is an awesome Father, not because I am.
- No matter their age I need to continue to cry out to God for my kids.
Rise during the night and cry out. Pour out your hearts like water to the Lord. Lift up your hands to him in prayer, pleading for your children, …. – Lamentations 2:19
Guard against the poison of pride.
Pride leads to disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom. – Proverbs 11:2
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