For parents of young children, resources abound. Between parenting books, websites, mobile apps, seminars, and radio broadcasts, we are blessed with valuable information from wise people who encourage us on our journey. But, what are the words for parents whose children are adults? Or, for parents of older teenagers who think they are adults? You have probably heard this saying many times: “What’s a parent supposed to do?”
Stan and I often read Morning and Evening, Charles Spurgeon’s devotional book. Although Spurgeon died 124 years ago this month, his knowledge of Scripture, biblical insight, and practical application, continue to bless and encourage us today.
By the age of 20, just four years after his conversion, Spurgeon had already preached more than 600 sermons. He became pastor of London’s famed New Park Street Church, where the congregation quickly outgrew their building. Spurgeon frequently preached to audiences of more than 10,000 (all in the days before electronic amplification!) Ministering to a congregation this large, no doubt he had a steady flow of parents coming to him with concerns about their children.
To those whose hearts are breaking for their older teens and adult children … parents and grandparents of children who have chosen to jump the fence and run the wild, dangerous fields on the other side, you will draw encouragement from Spurgeon’s words for September 17, taken from Mark 9:19.
“When our children are grown up they may wallow in sin and foam with enmity against God; then when our hearts are breaking we should remember the great Physician’s words, ‘Bring him unto me.’ Never must we cease to pray until they cease to breathe. No case is hopeless while Jesus lives.”
—C. H. Spurgeon
Often we feel helpless when a young adult chooses a destructive path that will only result in misery for themselves and those who love them. You try to peer into the future and hope for any outcome other than the one you predict. We can see it — why can’t they?
If your children are still young, you will not have felt this heartbreak, though it may be one of your greatest fears. But, you know someone who has and who is struggling with it today. Or, you may have a niece or nephew, neighbor or friend who has turned their back on their Creator and fails to remember who they are (See November’s post, Remember Who You Are.)
Be encouraged with this …
“Never must we cease to pray until they cease to breathe.
No case is hopeless while
Jesus lives.”