When I set out to have kids never did I imagine I would have 6. My faith was not a big part of my life in the beginning of my parenting journey. And now I can't imagine doing one without having the other.
I was pretty late to the game when it came to relationship with God. And I would still consider myself a freshman in faith. And to think of where I was when I was a teen, I could only use the word...inconvenienced. Me being Catholic was a major damper when it came to my young self. I HAD to go to CCD...mass occasionally...that was it. And that was enough to be burdened by God at that age.
I was so removed that I did not even realize I was removed.
But now I have teens...and my hope is they don't have the same detachment that I did. I very much want them to be attached . But the truth is...they may not be. They will question, and deny and turn away. We all do. They will to. Jesus had people turn away right in front of him. I will not be more persuasive than Him...I am sure of that.
I will do things differently then some...and other ways may be better...but my greatest prayer is that each of them will love God and rely on him and have Him be part of their life. I know faith does not make things easier..or better...or more fun in a teens mind. But I HOPE they will find it was worth it.