Monday Mythbuster #6

Happy Monday! Let’s bust up another Ministry Wife Myth as part of our spring blog series, Ministry Mythbusters!

Myth #7: If my children don’t love the Lord, I have failed.

Every parent has goals in mind for their children, whether consciously or subconsciously, spoken or unspoken. And as a believer on the Lord Jesus Christ, your momma heart undoubtedly has the goal of training up your child(ren) to love and serve the Lord all the days of their lives. Add in the element of spiritual leadership, and there seems to be a measure of expectation from others, seemingly, that the ultimate success of the parent who is also a pastor or preacher should be to raise children who choose to follow Christ, maybe even perhaps should follow in his or her parents’ footsteps and pursue full-time ministry!

Momma, your success as a parent cannot fully be based on the choice your child makes of his or her own volition. God has designed every single individual with a will of their own. Yes, you should train up a child in the way he should go. Train. Disciple. Love. Give time to. Challenge. Remain faithful and consistent. Serve God, even if it wasn’t a part of your job description. But at the end of the day, your child must choose for himself or herself. In fact, no matter how hard you try, you cannot live for Jesus for somebody else, including your offspring.

...no matter how hard you try, you cannot live for Jesus for somebody else, including your offspring.

Is your child sitting in the pigpen today as a prodigal? Pray, don’t rescue. Is your teenager giving you a run for your money? Pray, don’t negotiate or manipulate. Remind yourself: even our own flawless Heavenly Father has children who have defaulted from the Way.

Do you have a prodigal for whom you're interceding today? Share his/her first name below so we can partner with you in prayer.

Bonus Resources:

Blog: When the PK Is Struggling

Podcast: Pastoring Your Family, Pathways of a Prodigal