Jesus said “Follow me.” That means be with Him. Become like Him. Do as He did. And He warned us to count the cost. People will hate us because of him.
But even our kids?
We haven’t heard from our son in six years. I encourage people to “Trust God” every day. Now I get to practice it.
We hear a lot about those who carry lifelong pain because of their parents, blaming their problems on their childhood, and often justified.
But I rarely hear about the effect on parents who’ve been cut off from grown kids, cursed for their Christian lifestyle. Yet even in this horrible scenario, we’re called to put Christ first.
Yes. Even before our children.
You may have a great relationship with your kids. Enjoy it. Protect it. But don’t take it for granted. And don’t make it your identity. Heaven forbid, it can change, and it’s totally out of your control.
Our kids have free will, and they’re susceptible to the influences of their environment. So if they stray from their faith and from you, will Jesus still be your joy?
It’s brutal, sometimes agonizing. Losing relationship with your child is a helpless feeling. What do you do when you’ve prayed and done all you can do, and nothing changes? Enter Jesus.
Is He Lord of all, or Lord of most?
It may be the most painful experience, with due respect to those who have endured the death of a child. This is unique. Your kid’s still alive, but you’re “dead” to him.
In the end, it’s just you and Jesus. Your accomplishments, relationships, family, spouse, yes, even your kids will take a backseat to Him.
So, for peace on earth and eternal life, make him your Lord and constant companion. It gets heavy sometimes, but He promises to lighten your load.
Follow. Him. Only.