When our children are small, our role as parents is very defined. We’re their teacher, protector, disciplinarian, provider, and giver of love. When they grow up and begin making their own way in the world, our role changes. We pray that we have equipped them to make wise decisions, and we take on more of a friend role than disciplinarian. But what happens when they go astray and follow paths that lead to their own destruction? We want the best for them and do everything we can to redirect them, yet they’re determined to go their own way. Although heartbroken, we never give up or stop loving them.Our heavenly Father is no different. When we are born again into His Kingdom, He brings us up and teaches us His Word and His ways. When we go our own way and stray from the right path, His heart also breaks as He watches us headed toward disaster. He does everything He can to protect, help, and lead us back to His loving arms. He never gives up or stops loving us. His arms were wide open on the Cross while we were yet in sin, and they’re still open today.Jesus chose to die for His friends, and we are those friends. Like a child who has gone astray, we can come back to the Father. He is always watching, waiting, and longing for us to return.