When Your Child Pulls Away: Parenting with Faith When They Resist Church or the Blessing

“Even if your child strays far, trust that the seeds of faith planted with love will never be in vain.” – True Parents’ Heart

💔 The Pain No One Talks About

As a parent, you pour your heart into raising your children with faith, attending every service, joining workshops, encouraging prayer, and teaching them about the Blessing. But what happens when they grow older and begin to say:

• “I don’t want to go to church.”
• “I’m not ready for the Blessing.”
• Or worse: they quietly disconnect altogether.

It’s heartbreaking. It’s confusing. And often, it feels like you failed.

But take heart—you are not alone.

🙏 God Sees Your Tears

Even True Parents understand this pain. True Mother once said:

“When we raise children, we must do so while constantly praying and attending God with tears. Only then will Heaven not forget.”

God sees every tear, every prayer, and every time you held your child’s hand in hope. Even if they don’t respond right now, what you invested is not lost. Seeds of love never die—they just take time to bloom.

🌱 What You Can Do (Even When They Say No)

Here are a few gentle steps you can take when your child pulls away from church or refuses to consider the Blessing:

1. Focus on Relationship Over Rules

Instead of reminding them what they “should do,” rebuild your connection. Listen without judgment. Share meals. Laugh together. Connection is the bridge to future transformation.

2. Lead with Example, Not Expectation

Let your life speak. Show your child that your faith makes you more loving, patient, joyful, and honest. Sometimes your example is the only sermon they’re willing to listen to.

3. Create “Faith Moments” Without Pressure

You don’t need a full church service. Try a short prayer before meals, a meaningful quote on the fridge, or inviting them to a family gathering with spiritual meaning—but no strings attached. Let faith feel natural, not forced.

4. Ask, Don’t Argue

Instead of saying, “Why won’t you go to church?” try,

“What makes you feel distant from church or God?”
“What does love or family mean to you these days?”

Invite honest conversation—even if the answers are hard to hear. Your humility can open a door.

5. Reframe the Blessing as a Gift, Not an Obligation

Many young people see the Blessing as pressure or performance. But the Blessing is not about “being perfect.” It’s about beginning a journey of love, guided by Heaven.

You can say things like:

• “The Blessing is not just a ceremony—it’s a path to grow together with someone who shares your values.”
• “You don’t have to be 100% ready. No one is. But even considering the Blessing is a powerful step toward a life aligned with God’s heart.”

Let them see that the Blessing is not a burden—it’s a vision of something higher than what the world offers.

6. Share Stories, Not Sermons

Share simple testimonies of real people:

• A couple who struggled but found strength through the Blessing.
• A second generation who drifted away and later came back because someone believed in them.
• Your own story—how you first met the idea of the Blessing, what doubts you had, and how God guided you.

Stories stir the heart. They plant curiosity. They give hope.

7. Highlight the Bigger Picture

You can gently remind them:

“The Blessing is not just about you. It’s about God’s dream. It’s about healing generations. It’s about building something the world has never seen—a family where love lasts, and God can dwell.”

Sometimes, what young people need is not pressure—but a sense of mission.

💬 A Mother’s Testimony

“My daughter stopped going to church at 17. I felt ashamed and asked God, ‘What did I do wrong?’ But one day, I decided to stop pushing. I just loved her, prayed for her, and kept my own spiritual life strong. Four years later, out of nowhere, she asked to attend Sunday service with me. It was God’s timing—not mine. I realized: my job was to keep my heart open, not to control the outcome.”

📌 If You’re Struggling Right Now…

• You’re not a bad parent.
• Your efforts are not wasted.
• Your love still matters.

Let God work through your quiet endurance, your sincere prayers, and your unshakable love. The Blessing is not a deadline—it’s a destination, and every journey looks different.

🕊 Final Words: Keep the Vision Alive

True Parents remind us that love is patient, love is eternal, and love never fails. Keep walking with Heaven, and trust that one day, your child will find their way—perhaps not on your schedule, but in God’s perfect time.

“Even when things don’t go as planned, trust in God’s love and hold on to your child’s heart with prayer and sincerity.” – True Mother

💌 Need Support?

You’re not alone. If you want someone to talk to, or need prayer and encouragement, our Blessed Family team is here for you.

📧 Email us at: admin@bfdthailand.org
🌐 Visit: www.bfdthailand.org