Life by Grace Alone

Recently I came across this story that happened many years ago. My 36 year old daughter was only nine when these things occurred. My family and I lived 1500 miles from the place I had called home. My mother did the best she could to keep a degree of normalcy in the house where I had lived my high school years. My dad was fading as Alzheimers continued to progress. My father although not book smart had a wealth of practical knowledge of everything from the inner workings of any car to the best way to build a house. Now it was doubtful how much longer he would be able to look at us and remember that we were family as well as remember our names. I made arrangements to see my father hoping he was more himself than not. My youngest daughter came with me. Jessica loved her Pop-pop and she was the one who could make him smile. After our arrival and life was proceeding as usual, my father did seem more like himself than not. Yes , his attention span was shorter and he left more sentenc...

Years ago I was asked to work with some other women on a workshop about offspring that reject the faith of their parents. Recently I came across a list of advice that I had written for parents of grown .children. This was the basis for what I have written here. All of us have had the experience of feeling the disapproving glares of others as your darling child or children ignore the attempts of mom or dad to tame their disobedient behavior. As they grow into maturity the scenario changes but your reaction remains similar. "It is my fault. If only I  had prayed more or read the right books ----" You look forward to the day when if they are acting in ways that don't reflect your values they are doing it under their roof and not yours. If God has not seemed to answer your prayers distance makes the situation more bearable. Additional years do not make dealing with grown children any easier. Your level of concern may be higher now that they are older. Strong admonitions...