Tim Challies recently wrote a wonderful little article on how to wisely shepherd and guide your children as they grow up and leave home. Though I’m not quite at this stage, I know many Christian parents who wrestle with how best to let their kids have the increasing autonomy that an adult (or near adult) needs while also still helping to guide them toward Christ. Tim provides a number of wise answers that are worth considering. His final piece of advice is one that is worth remembering for every parent, grandparent, and caregiver: “Finally, commend them to the grace of God, trusting in your own heart that God loves them even more than you do and that his plan for them is even better than your own. Pray for them and pray with them as you part and make this your final and ultimate petition before the Lord: nevertheless, not as I will but as you will.”
If you are in – or nearing – the stage of letting your children move from being entirely and completely under your control and rules to giving them some more independence, rights, and responsibilities, this article is well worth thinking through.
