I find coping with loved ones who remain unsaved one of the most difficult trials. Very little seems addressed to this matter. I have had a step father step into eternity without Christ. I have a daughter (who was home-schooled but now is into Wicca) and a son (who was from a previous and never get to see) who has gone his own way and a father (atheist) who is near death.
It is very very difficult trying to understand 'Why God' when it comes to this matter and leaves me in a near continual state of underlying sorrow. Any suggestions?
As others have said, we keep praying and hoping in God.
It is perhaps hardest to witness or know how to go abouit it with those who are close. If we "push" it, they will avoid us. But we still need to look for faithful and creative ways to share the Message.
A friend of mine, whose mother is an unbeliever (and with whom he has had no 'open doors' to sharing the Gospel) sent me this note, yesterday. [I had sent her a copy of
Oh Holy Night: The Peace of 1914 just before Christmas]:
"Just thought I'd share with you that my mom called me tonight and told me that she is in the middle of reading your book. She is really enjoying it, and wanted to send you a thank you note, ...we did have a wonderful discussion about that incident in 1914. Thanks. I really appreciate this, and I know she does too."
He did not asked me to do this. And if he had, maybe it would have 'put her off.' I just did it for a friend. More of us have to take intitiative in cases like this and pray for God's guidance, open doors, and ways to creatively share the Good News.
And as for this friend's mother who is half way through this short book [whom I have never met], this is what she will read at the end of the book::
...This is the peace of which the shepherds heard.
“Glory to God in the highest and on earth, peace,
goodwill toward men.”
“Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace
with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
This peace offer still stands today. In the final invitation
of the New Testament, it is offered to all:
I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these
things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring
of David, and the bright and morning star.
And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him
that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst
come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of
life freely.
… Everyone who hears this should say, “Come!” If
you are thirsty, come! If you want life-giving water,
come and take it. It's free!
… Whoever is thirsty, let him come; and whoever wishes,
let him take the free gift of the water of life.