Parenting the Prodigal
The primary struggle for Christian parents in this situation is coming to terms with what happened and how to relate to their child moving forward.
The primary struggle for Christian parents in this situation is coming to terms with what happened and how to relate to their child moving forward.
“Have I lost my salvation? Does God still love me even though I'm doing everything wrong? And where do I go from here? I don't know what to do.”
So badly I want to be someone who holds her earthly possessions with a loose grip. But with my monetary predisposition to saving and preparing for the future…how do I learn this?
As a Christian, when I think of character qualities I would like to possess one that looms large is magnanimity.
Rarely will one of God's heroes show up in the Scriptures having lived a life free of failure.
There was a process during which Peter wallowed in remorse, wishing he could, if possible, correct his error...but he couldn’t. And somewhere in the midst of it he heard the Lord say to him, “Peter, I forgive you. I understand.”
What a relief it was the day God convinced me that He doesn’t hold me responsible for how people respond to the Gospel. He holds you and me responsible for giving and living the Gospel; what someone does with it is His business.
For the rest of the missions trip, I thought about Jesus' ministry and the compassion He must have felt for the many people He encountered. People He taught, healed, and those who desperately cried out to Him.
Things didn't go as expected. What was supposed to have been a wonderful gathering full of hope, joy, and celebration seemed to have gone wrong. Terribly wrong.