“Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.” Romans 12:15 (ESV)

Over the past year, I’ve found myself in a new season of parenting.

Like many of you, I’ve discovered that parenting adult children requires a different kind
of wisdom. It’s less about directing and more about guiding. Less about having all the
answers and more about being a safe place to land.

I’ve also found myself listening carefully to parents who have walked this road before
me. Their wisdom has been a gift. One of the greatest lessons I’ve learned from those
who’ve walked this road before me is this:

As parents, it’s easy to focus on meeting our children’s physical needs. We make sure
they’re fed, clothed, healthy, and safe. Those things matter.

But our greatest calling goes even deeper. Our children need to know we care about the
needs of their hearts.

God’s Word is always our foundation, but not every conversation with our children
begins by quoting a Bible verse. Sometimes it begins with listening well, offering
compassion, and reminding them they’re not alone. Then, when their hearts are ready,
we can gently point them back to the truth that never changes.

Sometimes all they need to hear is:
“That stinks.”
“I’m so sorry.”

Empathy doesn’t compete with truth—it prepares the heart to receive it.

Jesus modeled this beautifully. Before speaking about the hope of the resurrection, He
wept alongside Mary and Martha. He entered into their grief before offering words of
hope. Compassion and truth were never at odds in Jesus. They worked together.
Our children are watching far more than they’re listening.

They notice how we respond under pressure. They see whether we extend grace, admit
when we’re wrong, keep our promises, and trust God in our own hardships. They learn
as much from our example as they do from our words.

Perhaps that’s why one of the greatest ways we can point our children to Jesus is
by living His Word before we speak it.

Our goal isn’t simply to raise children who know God’s Word. Our goal is to faithfully
point them to Jesus so they can experience His love, grace, truth, and compassion—not
just today, but for the rest of their lives.