“Listen, O heavens, and hear, O earth; For the LORD speaks, ‘Sons I have reared and brought up, But they have revolted against Me'” (Isa 1:2).

Parents are well-aware of their terrible imperfections and failures. Though we tried our best, and in some cases, didn't try enough, all of us wish we could have been much better parents, knowing then the things we know now. The sense of falling short is amplified when our children make bad decisions, and even, dread I say, when they walk away from the faith. In these moments, we are overcome with a sense of personal guilt and spend sleepless nights blaming ourselves. The assumption is that good parents have good children. But what about God? He is a perfect father, and yet his children walk away. Apparently perfect parents don't have perfect children! Of course we must admit our mistakes, and take personal responsibility for all our actions, but no one is a helpless victim of imperfect parenting. And many heroes of the faith have come from terribly dysfunctional families. Friends, in moments when our children make sinful or unwise chooses, we also have a choice. We can choose to continuing loving our imperfect children with full assurance that God also continues loving very imperfect parents.

“Just as a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him. For He Himself knows our frame; He is mindful that we are but dust” (Ps 103:13-14).