✝️ Raising Rebels Who Love Jesus

Because faith isn’t about perfection—it’s about giving God your whole messy, muddy, peanut-buttery heart.

When my chocolate Labrador Retriever, Rebel, took off across the yard last week, ignoring every “No!” and “Come back here!” I hollered, you’d think she’d been personally invited to a squirrel’s birthday party. My other Lab, Ruger, watched with the calm disobedience of a seasoned rebel—ears perked, tail wagging, sitting just close enough to prove he was technically behaving.

And in that split-second of chaos, it hit me: rebellion isn’t always disobedience. Sometimes it’s just a whole lot of passion wrapped up in the wrong direction.

So, how do we raise kids who might color outside the lines, challenge bedtime theology, and still fall wildly in love with Jesus? Let’s talk about that.

📖 Rebels in the Bible Belt

I used to think rebellion was a dirty word. The kind whispered behind church pews about other people’s kids. But the Bible’s full of rebels—Moses ran from his calling, David danced like a wild man (and messed up a dozen times), Peter denied Jesus three times and still helped launch the Church.

God doesn’t cancel the rebellious. He redirects them.

So maybe our job isn’t to raise rule-followers—it’s to shepherd truth-seekers. Kids brave enough to wrestle with grace and wild enough to chase God with everything they’ve got.

💬 Grit Before Grace

Let me tell you, I’ve had my moments. Moments where I’ve wanted to say, “Because I said so,” and call it holy. But parenting is more nuanced than that. Sometimes, obedience takes a back seat to wisdom.

Like the time my son refused to say sorry because “I’m not actually sorry, Mama.” Hard to argue with that kind of honesty. We talked about repentance, about telling the truth even when it’s uncomfortable. And while I didn’t get a performative “sorry,” I got something deeper: understanding.

It’s easy to teach compliance. It’s harder—but more sacred—to teach discernment.

🐾 Ruger’s Grace-Filled Guide to Parenting Rebels

If my old soul Ruger could voice his intent, he’d probably give this advice:

• “Lick first, ask questions later.” Affection before correction. Always.

• “Roll in the mud—it washes off. Eventually.” Mistakes are part of growing.

• “Your pack doesn’t need perfection. It needs loyalty.” Show up. That’s what matters.

Sometimes the best theology is drooled on and wagging its tail.

🪶 Final Thoughts:

To every parent raising a bold-hearted kid who challenges bedtime prayers and asks hard questions in the grocery store checkout line—keep going.

Their fire doesn’t scare Jesus. It makes Him smile.

So here’s a little blessing for the journey:

“May your home be messy with laughter, your discipline soaked in grace, and your little rebels grow up brave enough to follow Jesus wherever He leads—even if it’s through a muddy yard after a squirrel.”

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Jann Franklin is a faith based cozy mystery writer. You can reach her at jann@jannfranklin.com