I recently spoke at a ladies retreat where the theme was “The Seasons of Our Christian Walk” and my topic was “fall.” I had 15-20 minutes to share about this phase of my life. Boy, was that hard! “Fall” is a time in a woman’s life when everything changes and I mean everything! Your body, your relationship with your husband, your relationship with your children, I could go on and on.
One of my points in that lesson I want to share with you today. At this phase in a woman’s life she will start reaping all of the seed that she planted in the lives of her children. If we have raised our children in a godly home this can be a joyous time. 3 John 3 tells us “I have no greater joy than this, to hear of my children walking in the truth.” To see your children reach adulthood and have a strong faith of their own is such a HUGE blessing! Then to watch as they pass that on to their children reminds me of how 2 Kings 22:2 describes Josiah. Scripture says, “And he did right in the sight of the Lord and walked in all the ways of his father David, nor did he turn aside to the right or to the left.” As mothers, we see all of our hard work finally coming to a point where we KNOW that our children are walking in the light.
But not all stories turn out the same, do they? I want to address those who have children who have pulled away from the Lord. It doesn’t matter the circumstances; you just aren’t sure of their salvation. Or maybe you KNOW that they are lost. This is an extremely hard point in a mother’s life. But I want to offer you encouragement.
I want to share with you 3 points in Philippians 3 to help through this difficult time.
1. Press On!
In Philippians 3:12, 14 we read the phrase, “I press on.” I am watching parents hang on to guilt and regret when it comes to their children, sometimes to the point that the parents fall away as well. Paul tells us to “press on.” This can be such an emotional time that all we really want to do is curl up and feel sorry for our child and feel sorry for ourselves. Do your crying, dry your eyes and press on! How can we win them back if we quit too?
2. Forget What Lies Behind!!
My favorite portion of this passage comes in the next 2 verses (Philippians 3:13-14, “Forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize.” As Christian parents we CANNOT quit! We must forget what lies behind! We all make mistakes as parents. If you can figure out the mistake, great; teach other young mothers what not to do. But our children are now adults and they will make their own choices. So no wallowing! To win them back we MUST forget what lies behind and move forward. You can’t see the goal if you keep looking behind you!
3. Keep Living by the Standard!
In Philippians 3:16 we read that we are to keep living by that same standard to which we have attained. Christian parents must “hold fast”! Don’t let go of the truth in God’s Word. As we see our adult children make decisions that pull them away from the Lord, sometimes our emotions pull us away from what we KNOW to be true. For example: your child marries, divorces and then decides to marry again and has no scriptural right to do so. Our emotions tell us, “God wouldn’t want my child to be alone for the rest of their life.” But remember, God didn’t want them to be alone, they chose that path. So HOLD FAST to the Truth! Keep living by the standard that you know to be true.
Remember 2 Peter 3:9, “The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish, but for all to come to repentance.” Don’t loose hope! God wants our children home with Him in heaven as much as we do! As long as they are breathing there is hope! As long as you are breathing, press on!
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Welcome! We are so glad you stopped by. Come Fill Your Cup is a group of Christian ladies dedicated to equipping women for study and service. We know you are busy and that life’s hectic pace pulls you in so many directions, but you can’t truly be the woman God desires unless you take time to fill your own cup…not with spa days (though we love a good spa!) or the latest novel…but with God’s Holy Word. We want to help you with that! Our goal is to reach you in the midst of your busy day and give you encouragement, education, and fellowship as you strive to live the life God has laid before you. Our prayer is that we can help fill your cup so that you, in turn, can overflow to all those around you. So, as we like to say…come fill your cup, and let it overflow!
Hi Tami,
Thank you for the very encouraging article!! God bless you.
“A mother’s love perceives no impossibilities.” ~Paddock
Thank you for such an encouraging article. I don’t have any grown children (yet) but I do know others who struggle with this. What a great lesson for parents of grown and young children.