Sigh...

[sparrow]

Hey....

Wooo... This isn't really a biggie. It's just I'm getting kinda downhearted and could do with some prayer. I'm not losing my faith or anything like that, I'm still 100% with God, it's just I gotta get this off my chest!

Tonight was the Carols By Candle Light service at my church. My parents came with me, and they're not saved. I have been hoping and praying for the past week that their hearts will be softened at the service, and that they will enjoy it and be challenged by it. I even requested prayer on the site and had a lot of support (thanks guys ). Well I enjoyed the service, and afterwards my parents left and I stayed back to help give out Christmas cards and just socialise. I get home and ask my parents if they enjoyed the service and they say "Oh, it was OK. We enjoyed the carols but the service wasn't very good. We didn't think it was very Christmassy."

I'm so frustrated guys. I know that God has a plan for my parents, but some people do die without knowing God right? Well, what if thats my parents? They're so stubborn and they have no visible "need" to come to Christ - they have everything they "need" without him (obviously not eternal life etc, but they don't really know/care about that). They've had "bad" experiences before. My dad is very narrow minded and thinks that anyone who dedicates their life to a religion is a "freak". My Aunt goes to a very charismatic church and they went there (or rather, were dragged along I'm guessing) and because the people were singing/talking/praying and stuff out loud in the service, they've got this picture that all religious people tend to be weirdos.

I just wish they could be saved. I hate having to listen to my Christian music quietly, and to pray privately and not to be able to ask them questions about God like every other kid in my youth group can. I know I disappoint them in having a faith because they made the comment that they "wish we'd never let you go to that church". They love me and all, but they don't understand me or my faith, or my God. So I try not to disappoint them but I know I am. I'm not gonna leave God or my faith or church or anything because of this. No way. I love my parents so much but God still comes first. It just gets me down. I've been praying for so long and it just seems its never gonna happen...

Eugh. Anyway I had to get that out before I exploded.

 

[SpiritPsalmist]

Oh Clairy,

Be encouraged. God promises that His Word will not return void. So it does not matter what your parents have said, cause' something very different is going on inside of them. Even though you can't see it, the Holy Spirit is stirring things up inside of them and one day you will see the fruit of it.

Be blessed. 

Quaffer

 

[aaron]

I will pray for you family.

 

[Blessed-one]

i can understand your feelings, the heart is always full of hope and anxiety when ourunsaved loved ones agree to come to a Christian invitation, but their responses most of the time fail our expectations.

but rest assured that God's working, He is continuously working. Sometimes we can't see the visible things as Quaffer said, however, we shouldn't give up, no matter how many years it will take, let's keep praying and keep trying. I'm always comforted (though sometimes frustrated, yes) when i hear testimonies that someone's dad, someone's mum has being saved after so and so many years. Therefore, don't lost heart!

 

[wvmtnkid]

Clairywairy-

First of all a big for you! I think your parents are very lucky to have a daughter that cares so much for them and for their salvation. That just shows that God is definitely at work in you. And you are planting the seeds in them. You have invited them to hear the message of the Good News. And I agree with the others, the Holy Spirit is working in ways that we can not see but we can rest assured in the fact that the work is going on. You have done what you are called to do. I don't know why for some people it is hard to surrender their hearts to Jesus. But don't give up hope. This past year we had a man in our church who is 86 years old be baptized and accept Jesus. It doesn't matter when it happens, just as long as it does happen.

And also know that your Heavenly Father is very proud of you. You are doing the work of His kingdom. Just keep praying and trusting that God has a plan. We may not see or understand what that plan is, but we have hope in the fact that He hears our prayers and will act in His perfect timing.

 

[SeRapH&CheRi]

clairywairy,
hugs to you hon! your parents are blessed to have such a wonderful, caring daughter. have faith and know that God is working in their hearts. like what the others have shared with you in this thread, it will take time and lots of prayers, but God is definietely working. continue to live your life as a living example of Christ and as well, pray without ceasing! i will continue to pray for your parents. if you need to talk, you can pm me anytime.
S&C

 

[Tsaxgurl317]

clair,
I know exactly how you fel and it is really hard sometimes i know. I've been praying for them sense i got saved(five years) and they have come to church once and then vowed never to go back because the preacer was preaching about christians who sneak in and sit on the back row and then sneak out again and my parents happened to be on the back row that day, he hadn't meant to offend them but he did and his wife appologized to them to no avail. They have refused to go back sense. They won't let me witness to my little brother which just makes it worse because i would really like to see him saved because he is at a very impressionable age and is closing in on being a teenager and i don't know how i could have made it without God. I will be praying for you...stay encouraged...if you need to talk don't wait pm me, i'm just a click away.

 

[AggieCatholic]

Clairy,
I just wanted to let you know that I'm thinking and praying for you. I'm in the EXACT same situation as you with my parents so believe me I know all the frustrations, anger, and everything else that goes along with being a believer and having to watch your parents be bound to this world. Praise His name for you, though, and for their being willing to even go to church with you for the Candlelight service--my parents won't even do that. I know that for me all I can do is pray that my actions speak loudly. There's an amazing pastor who leads a Bible study I go to and he's quick to point out that morality doesn't win converts to Christ, but JOY does. So be joyful. Live in Him every day. Yearn for Him and for His Kingdom and for His children. Long after the Lord. That's when you become an effective witness...even to lost parents. I wish I had a quick-fix formula for you--and for me as well--but unfortunately all I can say is cling to Him and continue to pray for them. Our God is a God of impossibility--there's no one "too lost" for Him. Claim that!!!
Be Blessed!
AggieCatholic

 

[GraftMeIn]

I'm praying Clairy Not only for you and your parents, but also for anyone else in this same situation.