Biblical Answer

When facing the question of whether we can still be good parents if we're dying, it's essential to acknowledge the significance of parenting and the impact it has on children. The Bible teaches that honoring parents is valuable and has enduring effects, with children who respect their parents experiencing a well-lived life and longevity (Exodus 20:12). This principle is not an ironclad guarantee, but it is a truth that we can rely on. As parents, we have a responsibility to model good behavior and teach our children valuable life skills, which can have a positive impact on their lives.

However, the reality of our mortality can be a difficult and painful one to face, especially for parents who are struggling to come to terms with their own death. The Bible reminds us that we should not exasperate our children, but rather give them peace and guidance through our prayers (Ephesians 5:18). By doing so, we can help them navigate the challenges of life and gain a clear perspective on what it means to be a good parent. Furthermore, we can pray for the Holy Spirit to guide us in our parenting, giving us wisdom and discernment to make the most of the time we have with our children.

In the face of our mortality, it's essential to recognize that our worth and value as parents are not defined by our physical presence. Our children's well-being and spiritual growth are ultimately in God's hands, and we can trust that He will provide for them, even in our absence. As the prophet Ezekiel reminds us, "Turn yourselves, and turn away from your idols, and turn your faces toward the Lord, and take away the foreign things from your midst and the impurities from your midst. Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; and let him return to the Lord, that He may have compassion on him, and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon. For why should you die, O house of Israel?" (Ezekiel 18:30-31). By turning to God and seeking His guidance, we can find peace and comfort in the midst of our mortality, and trust that our children will be okay, even if we're not there to see it.