I thought I brought my two girls up in the right way. Church, the Lord, Jesus being their savior. I believed them when they told me they accepted Christ as their savior in the 6th and 7th grade. Now, I don't know. Neither one of them is a virgin, I am having a hard time dealing with that, and they both tell me they want nothing to do with God because he really isn't there for them. I feel I didn't do the job the Lord required me to do. I know I didn't, I watch other parents who did raise their kids the right way. I don't know what to do now. I know my girls are adults 21 and 18, but that doesn't mean I give up or do I? Sad

You know our job as parents never really ends once our children are adults. We do the best we can, sometimes it is enough and sometimes not. What I do believe is that we can train and raise our children in a Christian household. We do the best we can with what we have been taught by our own parents, or what we have sought for our personal spiritual growth as we built our own lives in Christ. We can give them the tools and materials to ground them in Christ and His teachings. BUT in the end all we can do is lead and it is up to them to accept. There is many a child that accepted Christ at the ages you state only to become adults and stray. As parents most often they will not listen to us, feeling they're now adults and they can do what they want, and yes it is upsetting. However, rather than continue to push at times the best thing to do is continue praying and lead by continuing your own Christian example. I truly understand what you are feeling. Some of my children have gone the same way. I know they believe deep down and yet they travel their own way rather than look to Him first. It has made for difficult lives and experiences for them. As a parent that is heartbreaking to see especially when grandchildren are involved. I pray every day, since the day they were born, for God to have His way with them, and for them to walk in His path. I will continue to do so until the day I go home to Him. I have not been a perfect parent either. If you find one let me know May God continue to bless you, and may you find some peace in what you are seeing even when what you know they are about is not Godly. It is often by trials and tribulations our loved ones learn the true meaning of faith and God, and then He uses them to reach those that too have strayed.

I really like what you shared, Allen, and yes you are so correct about THE totally perfect Parent!! Doing ministry, including within my own family, has shown me that God is ever faithful even til the end. There have been many a person who when they knew their day was coming where they would soon face Him that realization comes that all along they did indeed believe even though they never actually publically professed. It is sad for us that we feel time was so wasted in between, but you know, that is between them and God. The scripture quoted is so supportive. Thank you for sharing that principle. I too have heard quips from my children that were indeed grounded on what was talked even though not 'officially' relegated to the author.

May all earthly parents take hope in this.

Thankyou for sharing this my friends. My household is the same and i identify with what each of you are saying.



I also was one of those young people who wandered. My parents love and private prayers did way more than anything they couldve said to me at that time, words just made me more rebellious.



I too have noticed that every once in awhile my children will come out with something that shows me they do remember what they have been taught.



We must indeed hold on to the promise of train up a child in the that they should go...

I totally agree with the posts here, especially Allen's. But I want to take it one step further.



We must STAND on the Word. That means that we believe it no matter what the situation looks like. 29 years ago the Lord spoke to me in my sleep that my children would all be saved and with me in heaven. You know what? I am still waiting for that to happen. But I KNOW that I have what I say (which is another whole topic!). It is up to me to say what the Bible says, which is... Proverbs 22:6

Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.



Whenever a negative thought enters your head, quote this scripture. Do NOT allow negativity to direct you. You raised your children up in the faith as best you could. That is all that is required of you. Now just claim the Word. Don't give up!