Spiritually Parenting Solo in Christ
by Jim Clark
Raising children to love God is an awesome challenge for today's parents. Many forces work against us. Yet if you're married to a non-believer, the task can at times push you to the very edge of your strength.
For the past 17 years Leah has taken her children to church all alone. Questions from her children pierce Leah's heart: "Why doesn't Daddy go to church with us? Will he go to heaven when he dies?"
Family expert Les Parrott has interviewed dozens of parents married to non-Christians. If you're trying to raise godly children on your own, try these helpful suggestions from parents who understand your struggle:
- Continue building a close relationship with your spouse. Children desperately need the security of seeing Mom and Dad love each other.
- Find common ground. Talk with your spouse about the values you both long for your children to embrace. Then decide how you'll consistently impart these values.
- Stay in fervent prayer for your spouse and children. Pray without ceasing that your mate will be drawn to Jesus Christ. He wants your spouse to be saved even more than you do. Release that spouse each day to the caring arms of the Lord.
And follow each day this loving command from Proverbs 3:
Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. (Proverbs 3:5-6)
Flying solo can be scary and at times intimidating. What a good thing it is that in Christ, we are never out there all by ourselves!
URL: http://www.heartlight.org/articles/200305/20030501_solo.html
(c) 2003, Herald of Truth and Jim Clark From http://www.hopeforlife.org, used by permission.
(c) 1996-2002, Heartlight, Inc.