April 14, 2026

Parenting in Faith

You do the best you can with what you have, and then let them go, trusting that the lessons you’ve imparted will guide them on their journey. As with every generation, you pray they take the good and let go of the bad. It’s a delicate balance between offering support and allowing them the freedom to grow and learn from their own experiences. Just as a gardener nurtures young plants, providing water and sunlight, ultimately nature takes its course. So, too, parents must also recognize when to step back and watch their children fly out of the nest. You’ve done your job, they will be okay.

As they step into the world, remind them that they will always be in your prayers whether they want to be or not, and just a phone call away. Parenting in faith means having the courage to let go, knowing that the seeds you’ve planted will grow into something beautiful and strong, remembering they have choices to make. Something that is so wonderful when they are no longer living under your roof is that you don’t need to help them make decisions anymore. It is somewhat of a relief. And you simply pray they do the next right thing.

Each child is unique, and all their paths will be different. While we can provide a strong foundation rooted in values such as faith and integrity, it’s important to remember that they will face challenges that are theirs alone to navigate. It is their choice whether they want to do it with God leading the way, or not. Sometimes we all need to learn the hard way. We can pray they embrace opportunities God has waiting for them.

Many of us, if not all, have been prodigals, so we shouldn’t be surprised that our children will be. We are all very flawed. I remember praying, as my children grew, that they would not be Sunday Christians but instead love the Lord with all their heart, soul, mind, and strength. I would rather my children wrestle with God and come out stronger in the end than to go through the motions once a week for an hour.

I think of the story of Samson that we saw on stage at Sight and Sound theatre in Branson. When he hit the age of 18 (this is a close estimation), he not only walked away from his parents and all he was taught, but he stopped following the Lord. His mom was heartbroken to see that he turned his back on his upbringing. She reminded him that he was set apart for the Lord. He didn’t care. He wanted his own way. How often have we all done this? We have broken our Father’s heart many times. The Lord spared his parents from seeing the self sabotaging things Samson was engaging in but they faithfully kept praying.

“Don’t let your happiness depend on something you may lose”
“To love at all is to be vulnerable. Love anything and your heart will certainly be wrung and possibly broken.”
CS Lewis

Despite choosing his own path over God’s, Samson repented at the end of his life, leading to the downfall of a pagan temple. This highlights redemption and the idea that no matter how far one strays, there’s always a path back to the grace of God. Ultimately, it shows that even significant failures can lead to growth and it’s never too late to seek a fresh start.

God watches over them with boundless compassion and infinite patience, always ready to welcome them back with open arms. As parents, we can find peace in knowing that our love, though deep, is but a mere reflection of the love God has for each of them. They are His children first and He loves them more. Every step they take is part of a greater story, one that can be filled with hope, joy, and redemption.

Life’s journey is filled with twists and turns, and while we may wish to shield our loved ones from hardship, it is often through these very trials that we discover who God really is as our eyes are open more and more to His work in us. This is why I pray “do whatever it takes” bringing them to the realization that only God will always be there for them, never letting them down. It is only doing life with God at the center can any relationship be right, loving as Jesus loves, seeing as He sees. If we hate, we cannot really love God. This is why it is so important to stay in His Word so you can pray for the unlovable. Often I have to remind myself, “I have already forgiven”, and then immediately pray for them, giving them to God. You gotta remember the enemy wants us stuck in unforgiveness. Don’t give him that foothold in your life.

Sin and rebellion start off small, seemingly harmless, leading down paths that become more treacherous, and the choices more complicated. I remember one of my blessings telling me that they had “burned too many bridges”. My response was, “thankfully you can rebuild if you so choose”. It’s important to remember that no matter how far you’ve wandered, there is always a way back.There is hope and forgiveness waiting.

The more you worship God, as a parent or with any relationship, the less you worry. I have been free of worry for a few years now. It is not good to allow worry to control your life. I did it far too long. There is peace that passes all understanding. This kind of peace is not dependent on circumstances; it is a serene state of being, given by God, that allows you to navigate life’s challenges with grace and resilience. Knowing this can transform your perspective, making life full of confidence, comfort, and happiness.