Sometimes you forget that your adult children still need to hear from you. Don’t forget to tell them these 10 things.
1. You matter.
We know, brothers and sisters loved by God, that he has chosen you. 1 Thessalonians 1:4
Remind them they are chosen and loved by God. God sings over them, Zephaniah 3:17, has plans for them, will listen to them and be found by them when they pray. Jeremiah 29:11-13. See Psalms 20:4; 40:5; 119:26; 138:8; Proverbs 16:3.
“You have been created in order that you might make a difference. You have within you the power to change the world.” Andy Andrews
The concept of making a difference is understandable — yet do our children need to hear us tell them they can change the world? Yes. They matter, their life matters, what they do matters — to God, to you, and for all time.
2. I love you.
But anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love…1 John 4:8
Do you see — if you know love, you know God? Sometimes we don’t see the love of the Lord in our children, yet when we choose to praise God for the good work He has begun in them, He will complete it. See Phil 1:6
God so loved the world, that He gave…John 3:16
God gave His only Son to redeem us to Himself. That is love — exquisite, powerful, all-encompassing, enduring, forever love. We crave affection, connectedness, community and need love. We can thank God He was, is and will be the loving Father of our children, regardless of our parenting skills. May we love our children like God loves us — and tell them.
3. I believe in you. (Your adult children definitely need this one)
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13
This strength is not a feeling. It is a gift from God. Our spirits leap when someone tells us they believe in us. And what we believe inwardly affects us outwardly.
And Abram believed the Lord, and the Lord counted him as righteous because of his faith. Genesis 15:6
And (insert your child’s name) believed the Lord, and the Lord counted him(her) as righteous because of his(her) faith. When we speak scripture about our children, we speak life into them.
4. Remember who — and Whose — you are.
But to all who have received him — those who believe in his name — he has given the right to become God’s children. John 1:12
They are God’s children. Family trees are researched and DNA test performed. How much more meaningful for our children to know they are a child of The One True God?
And if children, then heirs (namely, heirs of God and also fellow heirs with Christ) — if indeed we suffer with him so we may also be glorified with him. Romans 8:17
Our children are co-heirs with Jesus even our adult children. May the peace of God that passes all understanding settle them, even as they deal with unsettling circumstances. Plant knowledge of their Heavenly heritage into your kids because the Bloodline of Jesus is the most meaningful ancestry.
5. I thank God for you.
I thank my God every time I think of you. Philippians 1:3 CEB
Tell your children you think of them often and are thankful for them.
“I was given such a great gift. It’s a miracle that never stops amazing me and reminding me to give thanks, every day. Having a wife and daughter gives me a lot more purpose. I was much more selfish before, but now I think about what kind of role model I’ll be. I just want to be a better man.” –Jake Owen
Imagine how your children feel when you tell them you thank God for them. I was given such a great gift…YOU.
