When Our Children Reject Us

 

When my daughter grew into a young woman, she distanced herself from me for sharing Jesus and Bible verses with her and some of her friends. She believed that I was trying to convert them and this offended her. She stopped contacting me and eventually told me to stop contacting her. People ask me all the time how I can possibly deal with my daughter’s rejection of me.

I remind these caring people that my trust and hope is in God. My spirit is Born Again and Christ in me helps my human soul. My soul – my thoughts, emotions and choices – misses fellowship with my only daughter. However, my spirit rejoices, because she realizes my strong commitment to Christ.

One day she will comprehend that I live my life according to all of the teachings of Christ, not just the popular ones. For the glory of God, I imparted to my children the wisdom of Biblical precepts and knowledge (Proverbs 22:6; Deuteronomy 4:9; 6:6-9).  I know that one day they will all be encouraged and strengthened by these same convictions, which I cling to.

God has a plan for each of our children. God fills our quiver with them and then shows us in which direction to aim them as arrows into the future (Psalm 127:4-5; Proverbs 29:17). Paul commended Timothy because he shared the same faith as his mother and grandmother (2 Timothy 1:5). My younger son already shares and lives by Biblical faith. I look forward to the day when my daughter and my older son come to faith in Christ as well (2 Timothy 3:14-15).

Prayer:

Father God, we surrender our children to Your care and Your purposes for their life. Teach our children by Your Spirit and impart Your wisdom and peace into their lives (Isaiah 54:13). We release them into Your care, protection, direction and provision (Psalm 127:3–5). Humble them until they exalt You in their life. Protect them in the palm of Your hand and draw them to Your bleeding heart by Your sacrificial love.

Thought for the Day:

Children are a gift from God; they are a reward from Him. – Psalm 127:3

Standing Up

Read: Luke 21:14-19

“But all these things they will do to you for My name's sake, because they do not know Him who sent Me. - John 15:21 (NKJV)

Sometimes, when we stand up for Jesus, our relationships with others fall down. Even close family members reject Him and may reject us as well. However, when we live with an eternal mindset and vision, the carnal, temporary life holds little value in the whole scheme of what is truly valuable.

A few years ago, my daughter told me that if I respected her, I would never mention Jesus Christ or scripture to her or her friends again. I explained that Christianity is not what I do, but who I am. Therefore, I could not take it off and put it on again. It is permanent. She chose to end our relationship because of what she perceived as my lack of respect for her.

I take comfort in the fact that the world rejected Jesus also. I also continue to pray that once she knows Him who sent me, our relationship will be restored.

Prayer:

Lord, I pray for those I love who do not know You as their Lord and Savior. Thank You for revealing Yourself to them now and always.

Thought for the Day:

Sometimes life demands that we let go in order to receive.

Foundations of the Faith

Read: 2 Peter 1:5-8

“His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness.” - 2 Peter 1:3

As a new Christian, I wanted to skip the milk of God's Word (Hebrews 5:12) and to move right along to the meat. I wanted to hurry through the first principles of truth, so that I could wade into the deeper truths of the Kingdom of God. God slowed me down, however. He showed me that I had to grow in grace and wisdom by first getting a good, solid spiritual foundation based on the basic doctrines of our faith (Colossians 1:9).

In these studies, I learned that I secured my salvation by repenting of the dead works of sin and putting all of my trust in Christ. I made a public profession of what happened in my heart by getting baptized. I started the discipline of daily Bible reading and prayer. I found a church in which to learn and to grow and to fellowship with other Believers. Then I started telling others about what Christ did for me. I also learned how much God loves me and that He has a perfect plan for my life. Little did I know that these simple truths would see me through some rough times ahead.

After this, I started listening to the Holy Spirit's promptings on a daily basis. I learned to discern which thoughts He planted in my mind, and which came from Satan or human reasoning. I started teaching little children the truths of God Word. Then, years later, God started using me to mentor younger women and to encourage people in all walks of life.

Now, I thank God for that solid foundation. It saw me through the trials of losing all of my worldly goods more times than I care to count, of being rejected by my husband and daughter, of having to support myself after 22 years of marriage, of meeting a new husband with young children, and of changing ministries and homes twice since then. No matter what life throws at me, the storms never affect my spiritual house, however, because it was built long ago upon the bedrock of Jesus Christ.

Prayer:
Lord, help me to continue to grow in Your grace and to never fail to show love to those You bring my way. Help me to ensure that new Believers receive the same solid footing in the doctrines of our faith that I did, so that they too may withstand any storm life brings their way.

 
Thought for the Day:
Salvation is just the beginning of a wondrous journey with God.