Questioning Christianity
Questioning Christianity
When my son was 13, he established a new relationship with his father and started questioning Christianity. He started spending alternate weekends with his dad, and would return as a carbon copy for a couple of days. His dad had become a self-made success. His dad instilled an ethic of pride in my son and encouraged him in all things. This was good for the timid side of my son; he was playing sports and excelling in things like student government at school.
It was during this period that my son began questioning Christianity and doubting his faith. The simple message no longer worked for him -- he started challenging everything from an intellectual basis. I had our family change to a more youthful, Bible-based church, and I focused my daily prayers on protecting my son from evil influences.
For when you have become full and prosperous and have built fine homes to live in,
and when your flocks and herds have become very large
and your silver and gold have multiplied along with everything else,
that is the time to be careful.
Do not become proud at that time and forget the LORD your God. . .
(Deuteronomy 8:12-14)
About this time, the family foundation wavered. We had built a school publishing business and lost it to our major creditor. We traded our house for a 41-foot sailboat, and lived aboard to fulfill one of my husband’s life-long dreams. I found a school essay by my son basically entitled “I’m bringing myself up.” Needless to say, family stability was shaking at an inopportune time for my son.
My son wanted to exercise an increasing amount of independence, so I let him. I let him experience worldly ideas and make his own decisions. I let him pick his music and peers. He traded summer church camps for a buddy’s fishing cabin in Northern California. As my son was questioning Christianity, I let him explore. I trusted God.
Trust him and He will help you. (Psalm 37:5)
Bible Margin Note. . .
Trust, trust, trust, and obey!
What is your response?
