In short, their journey is separate from ours.
Their hurts are different. Their temptations are different. Their weaknesses are different, and so are their strengths. There are many places on the road to sanctification where our paths will cross. Where our journeys will intertwine. But, make no mistake: our kids are on their own journey. It may be a short road to Jesus or a long and winding one, but let us never assume that our prayers aren’t needed. That our witness doesn’t matter. That our kids know how we “really” feel, even if they see us behaving in ungodly ways.
Let’s stop thinking of our parenthood as a way to drag our kids along on our path. Once we recognize that they are on their own journey, that we can’t force them to love Jesus, I guarantee that it will change the way we pray. The way we talk to them about the things of God. The way that we live in front of them. Are we walking our own path in a way that would make our kids want to go the narrow way of Jesus? Or are we unwittingly encouraging them to take every wide and busy and dangerous road that leads far from Him?
Chad told me about an exchange that he overheard between a missionary and her little child in Ecuador. The little girl asked, “Mama, when are we going to get a new car?” The dear mother answered, “We can pray for a new car, but for now Jesus is sustaining this one.” That’s a parent who understands how to instill a love for Christ in her babies. Can she force that sweet little girl to follow Jesus? No. But, by making her own journey one of authentic love and appreciation for the Savior, that mama is helping her little girl along in her journey toward Him.
Are we walking the path set before us in such a way? I feel a deep conviction that I am not. Ever the rule follower, am I satisfied to see my kids have a relationship with rules when I ought to be on my knees praying that God will show Himself to them in such a real way that they are never the same? Am I speaking about others in a way that makes them wonder what is so Christian about Christianity? Am I grumbling and complaining more than I am praising and encouraging?
