There will be times in our parenting when we will feel inadequate as parents. Our job and responsibility are to shepherd their hearts towards an affection for Jesus.

Unfortunately, not all children will come to know Jesus as Lord. Many of us will have prodigal sons and daughters. Many will have kids who rebel and run from the Lord.

As parents of spiritually wayward children, we need to remember: there is no such thing as a “hopeless case” or a “lost cause.” There are no children in which the Lord isn’t might to save or redeem or transform.

Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save, or his ear dull, that it cannot hear;

Isaiah 59:1

A prodigal child is not a cruel punishment of a vindictive and malicious God because of some parenting failure of yours. All we have to rely on for our children’s eternal destiny is the knowledge that God is “merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness” (Exodus 34:6).

In our moments of parenting remorse, we are reminded that our role as parents is to plant seeds of truth, water them, and pray that God will give them life and growth as we trust in his goodness and mercy over all our shortcomings.

Family discipleship requires divine reliance. A strong belief that…

Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain.

Psalm 127:1

You don’t know what the future hold, but you know the one who holds the future.