​Is our God almighty, our heavenly Father not good enough? Has He not shown His children loving kindness? Has He not been generous to them? Has He withheld His gifts and His blessings from them and instead spoken lies? Is He not righteous and frim in what He says? Or, is He a Father who is changing like shifting shadows without keeping His promises? Who is always angry and without grace? 

Who is forceful without extending freedom to allow us to make a choice? If you know all of these answers, then you will know that He is perfect. If you know this to be true, here is a question for you, “Why do so many choose to disobey Him and turn their back on Him?”

Have you ever thought about why Jesus told us the parable of the prodigal son? (Luke 15:11-32) Parents, I do not say we are perfect like our heavenly Father, because we have all made mistakes as a parent. However, rebellion, pride, selfishness, immaturity, temptations…all these sins are real and they have the power to impact our lives. Yet, even when you do what is right according to God’s instructions for parents, your child could still can choose to go down the wrong path, following the world and their flesh. Does that mean there is nothing we can do or that we have an excuse to not be a good parent? Not at all! First I want you to know, if you are in the midst of parenting difficulties, blaming yourself or holding onto guilt will not do you any good. Second, remember that God has given each of us freewill, including those who call you mom or dad. If they can reject the perfect Father, how much easier is it for them to reject their imperfect earthly parents? Please do not feel discouraged about what I just said. We have all at some time and in some way made that same decision. Praise the Lord that Jesus offers His grace and knows that we do not know what we are doing. With this same understanding, we should recognize that our children also often do not know what they are doing.

What shall we do then? Follow the Father’s footsteps! He has not become discouraged, He has not given up on His children, He has not brought condemnation to them, He has not stopped guiding them, He has not become uninterested in them…instead, He has made a Way for them through grace. The best thing that we can do if we desire that our children know this truth is to pray for them in the name of Jesus.

“Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.” (John 16:24, NIV)

“Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” (Luke 11:11-13, NIV)

Have you asked? Have you asked your heavenly Father for guidance concerning your family, your marriage, and your parenting? Do you pay attention to and listen to His instruction? Do you trust Him and follow what He has shown you to do in your situation? Even if you did, remember your child still has their own nature which is attached with this fallen world. It may not be easy, but it is worthy! Worthy for us to fight for their souls, just like our heavenly Father does. The Way that the Father has offered to us will never fail, just as the prayer you have for your child, the power from your love for them will not fail. Why? Because God hears you, He is pleased by your love for your child, and He is in agreement with you: His sheep will be found.