“Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it” (Proverbs 22:6).
Faithful parents who instruct their children in the ways of God cling to the second half of this verse in the hopes of seeing their wandering child return to the firm foundation of faith. But here’s the thing: Proverbs are principles, not promises. Some children struggle with doubt, and some even depart from the faith completely. Is God not true? Is His word not certain? My mom always told me that my job as a mother was to work myself out of a job.
“Kids will always need their mom,” she’d say, “but they shouldn’t always need to be mothered.” The truth is our “mothering” can only go so far. When the kids are little or still under our roof, we have the privilege and responsibility to instruct them in the way they should go. But what happens when they “grow old” and leave? Whether they are off at college for the first time or married with kids of their own, some have “grown old” and left the faith.
What’s a mama to do?
A dear friend of mine recently shared her testimony. Her only child was away at college and on the brink of walking away from the Lord altogether. He was this close to deconstructing his faith and choosing a life of blatant sin. She and her husband had instructed him in the way he should go. They had parented him well and taught him the ways of God. He followed the Lord joyfully and closely…until he didn’t. He was not seeking further instruction from his parents. My friend said she did the only thing she knew she knew to do: she prayed. She wrote verses on slips of paper, laid them on his empty bed in his room at home, and she prayed.
She could have harassed him. She could have begged him. She could have threatened him with consequences. She could have let fear win, but she didn’t. Instead, she did what God commanded us all to do: she prayed.
After hearing her testimony, I went to her with tears in my eyes and thanked her for publicly sharing her story. She set a wonderful example for every mama in that room. As I thanked her, she looked at me with a warm smile and said, “You know how it is, Donna. It’s what we mamas do.”
Whatever stage of parenting you’re in, go on and pray over your kids. If you have spiritual children, biological children, or children of your heart, go on and pray over them. Pray without ceasing. Pray in all circumstances. Pray when you have no words. Pray and trust the Lord, come what may. Just pray.
It’s what we mamas do.
