Let me start off by saying, we were all young once.
So, without judgement come take a glimpse into my life..(Matthew 7:1)“Do not judge others, so that God will not judge you.
Can I ask, As parents do we ever ( not) have the responsibility to keep our children covered?
Or, does that ever stop?
At what age do you say, “Lord I’ve done all I can for that child, and I now, hand them over to you?”
In my walk with the Lord, I believed it was very important to hand your child’s life over to God, as well as at birth, so that child will be watched over and protected from any unwanted woes (sorrows or distress).(Mark 10:16)And he took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them.
As a young mother raising a new baby at the tender age of 17, I didn’t know the first thing about being a mother.(Psalm 127:3)Behold, children are a gift of the Lord,
The fruit of the womb is a reward.
All I knew was that I experienced a love unlike any other for that child.
Still being a child myself, I needed a lot of help with my first-born love.
As I watched and learned from my mother, she taught me how to care for that newborn.
Even though I had some knowledge as a babysitter in my young adolescent years, as far as, knowing how to care for toddlers and pre- schoolers, but not infants.
The one most important thing I didn’t have any knowledge about was, how to grow him up in Jesus.
One thing I can vividly remember at a very young age, is my mother sending my sister’s and I to the neighborhood church on Sundays, and to Bible study, on Wednesday and Friday nights.( Proverbs 29:15)The rod and reproof give wisdom, but a child left to himself brings shame to his mother.
I remember that as clear as day.
As I grew up, all that I had learned held no weight in my life.
Because by the age of (13) we moved, and the church got relocated. So, that was the end of that.
Now, that I was in my adult years I wanted to know more about God, more about Jesus Christ.(Jeremiah 29:13)If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me.
I started meeting people who were connected to Jesus. The One I wanted to know more about.(James 1:5)If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking.
I started going to Bible study, on Wednesdays, and Church on Sunday with my children, who by then were ages (5 & 3).( Proverbs 22:6)Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.
As I began to grow and learn as I attended my adult classes, and my children in their children classes (@Covenant Life Church), things seemed to be going okay.
As I did learn a lot from that church, and the classes I attended. It was not long-lived.
As I tried to find a home church, I moved from one church to another, looking for that one thing I was missing, and that was “learning how to grow a personal relationship with Jesus.”
I thought my relationship with Him would come through the Pastor himself. I thought it would come from just being a seat filler, and Bible study attendee. Oh, how wrong was I!
I was not being taught Jesus or about His love for me. I just couldn’t find what I was looking for in any church I attended.
You see, I was trying to find Him through all the wrong avenues, and through other people. What I didn’t know how to do was seek Him for myself, even though I attended Church and Bible study!
Church today, is not like it was back then. Where nothing was preached, but (Death, Hell, and Brimstone).
All I heard was, “you’re going to hell, if you don’t do this, and if you don’t do that.”
Long story short. I finally found a Church I believed God was leading me to go to. I just had a longing to go back from the very first time being invited.
Months down the road after becoming a member, myself and my children got water baptized back as well, in the year of 2000.
But, Wait a minute! It wasn’t over…
Yet, again – moving on to another church ( yep, another)!
However, at this Church, I felt I was finally being taught the one thing I knew I was missing…. and that was, “learning how to build a relationship with Jesus.” Finally!
As my children grew older, there desire for Church attendance no longer excited them, but I made them go anyway.(Isaiah 54:13).
And all thy children shall be taught of the Lord; and great shall be the peace of thy children”
To make a long story short, I really didnt get serious about my walk with Jesus, until about 2006 (as spoken about in another message here on my blog called “When God says Choose)”
Later on, my children got older and went their own ways. My daughter’s now living with her Aunt, and my son His Grandparents (story for another day)..
And as I seen the pattern of my life as a young adult, mirror the life of my daughter, with having a child out of wedlock, and at a young age. I began to realize it was all generational ( read my post on Generational Curses)
I didn’t like it, but what could I do? “she was out of my home and just following in my footsteps.”
Speaking with them on occasion, my husband and I tryed to remind the both of them, to keep the Word of God in their hearts, and to never stop spending time with Him and praying.
Throughout the years it just appeared it was all planted on deaf ears.(Proverbs 28:9)If anyone turns a deaf ear to my instruction,
even their prayers are detestable.
Sad, but true…
So,what do you think my husband and I did?
As always, we went into prayer for the both of them. We asked God to keep a covering about them, and to protect them.
We prayed….
Father God, in the Jesus name, we ask you to watch out for, and carry our children in your loving arms, and Father keep them close to you in their hearts.
Lead them in the way which they shall go, that they will not depart from you even in their adult years..
You promised Father that, if I ask anything in your name, you will do it.
So, Thank you for hearing and answering our prayer. In Jesus name- Amen.
As I journeyed through their Facebook and Instagram posts, learning them even more.
We prayed the even harder!! And as I spoke with them often, I advised them to think about their choices before posting, and to be aware that God was also watching so be an example and also a leader, to stay close to God and to always, and be thankful for everything!
Being mindful of (Proverbs 22:6)Train up a child in the way he should go,And when he is old he will not depart from it.
I know there are a lot of parents out there that are probably broken-hearted, and totally baffled by their children’s behavior on social media (knowing they did not raise them like that).
But, Listen Parents!! You did your best by pointing them to Christ, and allowing them to build a relationship with Him on their own.
You have to remind yourself, that the real problem is not…. drugs or alcohol, sex or cigarettes, pornography or laziness, crime, or cursing ( foul language), homosexuality or their choice of music.(1 John 2:15)Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them.
The real problem that sums all that up is the devil using them, and them not seeing clearly. And it’s only because they have never really gave Jesus first place in their lives!!
The only way their lives are going to change is if they know about Jesus, and let Him lead their lives.
All we can can do is let them know how much Jesus loves them, and wants a personal relationship with them.
Father God, in Jesus name, I pray that now that my children are no longer under my roof, and out in the world making life decissions of their own, I hand these adult children over to You Lord.
May they seek You with all of their hearts.
I pray for Your protection over them and that You would guide them, and most of all that You would open their hearts to the truth of Your Word everyday of their lives. In Jesus Name, Amen!
So, just Pray knowing that, the only One that can get your child saved or get them in right relationship with the Father, is themselves. Not even God can. This is why He gives us free choice. God isn’t going to make the choice for them…
That decision must come from that child, to turn to God and not away from Him.
So, you continue thanking Him for displaying Himself to that child or children, in a way they can’t resist seeking, worshipping, Praising, and Acknowledging Him.
Then you Acknowledge, acknowledge that if your child or children rejects Jesus you can’t pretend everything is fine and okay. If your child or children are unbelievers it can’t be ignored because Eternity and their final destination won’t be.(Matthew 10:33)But everyone who denies me here on earth, I will also deny before my Father in heaven.
If your Son or daughter is not living as a Christian, you cannot expect for him or her to act like one. You know in your mind that they have forsaken their faith and not living by the standards you raised him or her up with, and you might be tempted to ask them about their daily walk or their lack thereof with Christ. There’s nothing wrong with you continuing to being up Jesus to them….
The ultimate reason to pray for your son or daughter is so one day you’ll be able to welcome them back.
Welcome them home, plead with them, eat with them, email or text them, take an interest in the things they like so their eyes will be opened to Jesus and His awaited welcome home party planned just for them. Luke 15:10 In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”
We must remember that Jesus is their only point of return, but He’s also their only hope.
When they witness the wonders of Jesus in your life, then their satisfaction will be redefined.
Jesus will replace all of their worldly lusts….their love of money, their praise of men, their drug or alcohol high. Yes, all their wrongs and make them right, with them doing their part as well…
Only His grace can pull them in, and draw them from their wicked perilous pursuits, and lead them safely back to Him. He will and He can.John 6:44 “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them, and I will raise them up at the last day.
We as parents must Pray, Acknowledge, and Welcome them back home in Christ with open arms.
So, to answer the question I started out with in the beginning,
“When do you stop?” When it comes to your child or children?
Praying for them? NEVER!!! the answer is NEVER……
Jesus never stops seeking us Rev. 3:20 Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.
So, why stop praying for their deliverance?
Be Blessed….
( PLEASE WATCH THE VIDEO CALLED BEAUTIFUL RELATED TO TODAY’S MESSAGE)
Host Of Angels 