Few things are as painful for Christian parents as a child who turns away from his or her faith. Often mixed with that sadness is the parents’ guilt. In their minds, they’ve failed in their efforts to lead their child to Christ.
But effective parenting isn’t black and white. We can’t be perfect parents any more than we can be perfect human beings. We all fail. In addition, as children grow older, they become more independent and make their own choices.
Nevertheless, when children walk away from the faith, it’s heartbreaking for parents. That’s probably why the story of the prodigal son has remained one of the most beloved parables in Scripture for centuries. Although the story doesn’t make promises or guarantees about “wayward” children, it does offer hope to parents in desperate need of it.
You may be in the midst of that kind of pain, guilt and uncertainty right now, and you need the hope that only God himself can provide.
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