I also have grown children out of the church. I have 5 children and 7 grandchildren. There is a promise in Patriarchs and Prophets in the chapter on Noah. Here is the quote: God commanded Noah, “Come thou and all thy house into the ark; for thee have I seen righteous before Me in this generation.” Noah’s warnings had been rejected by the world, but his influence and example resulted in blessings to his family. As a reward for his faithfulness and integrity, God saved all the members of his family with him. What encouragement to parental fidelity!

My son wandered away from the church and was doing what he pleased. He is a trucker and was driving OTR (over the road). When he would pass through the town we live in he would stop by. One day he called that he was stopping by and asked me if I could get him some food. Truckers pay isn’t always good, and he was out of money and food. I’m a Mom and why my child asks for food, I am going to get it.
We had just recently returned from campmeeting where I had purchased the pocket size set of the Conflict Series, but I didn’t know what I was going to do with it. I went to the grocery store, and when my son came by for the food, I felt impressed to give him that set of books. They are so small they wouldn’t take up any room in the truck. My son started reading, and read himself back into the truth (through the Holy Spirit of course). He later told me that if I had not gotten him the food, he would never have taken those books from me.
I had been praying for him for a long time, but didn’t know when, or how God would answer my prayers. My lesson from this experience: keep praying, and don’t push my views too strongly on my kids. Be kind and meet their true needs when I can without expecting a positive response. It may be a small seemingly insignificant deed that will open the door.

I am confused. Why does working in the church keep you from working for your children? My husband and I are very active in our church but we are taking two weeks off to take care of our grandson to help our son and daughter in law. Can’t there be some of both?

-dd k

Also I wanted to encourage you. My grandmother prayed for my uncle for 47 years and died without seeing any results. But a fwe years after that he and his wife both joined the church after she (who was not raised SDA) stumbled on 3abn. It is quite a story.

-dd k

Remember and believe God’s promises. We live by faith and not by site! “…for I will contend with him that contends with you and I will save your children” Isa 49:25 Here is a promise that will give you hope as you belive it and build your faith in Him as you see Him accomplish that which you have tried and failed to do yourself (that wasn’t your job. Our job is to live by faith)(”that he might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the LORD doth man live.” Deut 8:3).
We do our part (faith). He does His part (all the work). He is faithful who has declared it. Walk in faith and believe that God will accomplish that which you have cried out to Him in anguish for…in His own time, by His own power and for His own glory. Praise our God! With much love…