The Bible says: ‘Every year Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem for the Passover festival. When Jesus was twelve years old, they attended the festival as usual. After the celebration was over, they started home to Nazareth, but Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents didn’t miss him at first, because they assumed he was among the other travellers. But when he didn’t show up that evening, they started looking for him’ (vv. 41-44 NLT). This story has a happy ending because Jesus’ parents found Him. But it doesn’t always turn out that way. Don’t ‘assume’ your children are okay. Today they have access to drugs, weapons, and pornography via the internet, where they can meet a paedophile as well. That should concern you. Jesus said Satan comes to ‘steal…kill, and…destroy’ (John 10:10 KJV). Don’t let him have your family. After being set free from demonic control, a man wanted to travel with Jesus as one of His disciples. But Jesus said, ‘Go back home to your family and tell them what the Lord has done for you’ (see Luke 8:39 ). Your dream job or house will feel empty if you lose your children. Indeed, your achievements may taste like ashes in your mouth. If you have been travelling the road to success and neglecting to bring your family along with you, make a U-turn! Go back and get the people who matter most. Commit yourself to making the journey only if it includes them. Pray with the psalmist, ‘I need your help, especially in my own home, where I long to act as I should’ (Psalm 101:2 TLB). Don’t assume your children are okay – be sure they are.

© 2024. Written by Bob and Debby Gass. Used by permission under licence from UCB International.