Parenting Tip for Adoptive Moms {Mom of Many)

-go astray

1. Lit. to wander off the road or path. Stick to the path and try not to go astray. I couldn’t see the trail and I almost went astray.
2. Fig. [for something] to get lost or misplaced.  Mary’s book went astray or maybe it was stolen.
3. Fig. to turn bad or wander from the way of goodness; to make an error. I’m afraid your son has gone astray and gotten into a bit of trouble.
Parenting Tip for Adoptive Moms {Mom of Many)
My DH and I raised 15 children, 2 homemade and 13 adopted. I have 13  grandkids. Let me encourage you because I’ve BTDT.
Though we hope our children will choose to follow the way that we have taught them, we must realize they must work out their own salvation “with fear and trembling” for that is what God requires.
Php 2:12 “Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.”
If there is one thing that dominates my thinking every moment I breathe, it is that I hope my children will choose to follow God with their lives.
If as parents we’ve done our best to teach them who God is, why He is worthy of their total devotion, and how He will bless if they choose to serve Him, then we are called faithful. Some have followed the path that we have blazed, some have taken their own path. We must love each one, regardless of their choicse. We claim them as our own and will never toss them out of the family. Adoption is like salvation; we picked them up out of the pit, dusted them off, and set them on their feet on the Rock. That Rock is Christ. Some of them have stepped back into the pit; some have stayed on the Rock. Some are making their way back to the Rock; some are making plans to jump off the Rock.
We cannot make these choices for them. We can only show them the Rock and why they need to plant their feet there. We must leave them in God’s hands.
If your children choose the pit, do not go with them. If they choose the Rock, be there with open arms, ready to be a part of their life. Be thankful for those who are on the Rock or making their way back.
We must pray that God will preserve those who are not and that they’ll soon want to return to Him. I’ve seen it happen, so don’t lose hope!
Val @ Mom of Many