Devotionals

Seniors With Wayward Children

by Dale Buchanan 
08/29/26
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#26 in “Blessing for Senior Saints” series

Many elderly saints grieve because their grown children turn from the truth.  They remember their parenting years when the children were home.  They lived as godly examples before their children; they tried to teach the Word to their children and keep them active in a good Bible-teaching church.  But now one or more children have left the faith.

These parents are plagued with guilt about their children.  They remember Proverbs 22:6 KJV, “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.”  Warren Wiersbe, in his O.T. Commentary, p. 1084-1085, reminds us that, “Like the other proverbs, it’s not making an ironclad guarantee, but is laying down a general principle.”

As Christian parents, we do our best to raise our children “in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.” (Ephesians 6:4 KJV).  They are our responsibility while they are growing up in our home.

But when they leave home, it is their responsibility to make their own choices. Ezekiel 18:20 KJV reminds us, ‘The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son.”

Godly Bible characters had ungodly children.  Aaron had 2 sons who were killed by the Lord because of their sin. The godly judge, Samuel, had two sons who walked not in his ways, were greedy, took bribes, and perverted judgment.  There are additional Bible examples.

After your children leave your home, you must leave them to the Lord’s care.  Love them. Pray for them. Help them when they ask for help. But don’t burden yourself with guilt if, and when, they make bad decisions.

Take your burdens to the Lord and  LEAVE THEM there.