if they aren’t interested in religion, chances are it’s because they don’t really know what it’s all about, and explaining it to them in an educative manner probably won’t help much because what they really need is simply to see God’s love, which God shows through us, that is why it is so important to be charitable, charity being the love of God above all else for His own sake, and the love of neighbor for the love of God,
if they don’t see and experience Gods love, then all this religion stuff just seems pointless, it’s like a boat without water, who cares about a boat when there’s nothing to sail it in? it’s not very appealing, and it just seems like a waste of time.
of course that is not something that can be forced onto someone, God does not force His love onto us, and likewise we cannot *make *someone see Gods love for them,
instead it is our job to just be loving in all that we do, which doesn’t only consist of our interaction with our neighbor, but also with our interior life, especially our prayers, which are a means by which we develop a more intimate relationship with God, and the reason that is most important is because honestly we cannot help or convert anyone, we are simply a tool, God uses us, we are channels of His love, and although we are the ones who have to choose to allow Him to work through us, He is still the one who does the work,
only God can reach the heart and soul, only He can fill the heart with His love, because He is love
and so you must put them in Gods hands, which means don’t worry,
pray for your husband and father, preach to them by your example more so than your words, and then just say “Jesus, i trust in You”
and the reason it’s so important to be a good example first, is because if they don’t see you living what you preach, then they aren’t going to get it, words are cheap after all, so you have to show your love in your actions, that is how we really and truly love, that is why Jesus suffered and died for us instead of only telling us He loved us,
so to get to my point, what you need first and foremost, is to work on yourself, increase in your virtues, overcome your sins, pray often, read good catholic books(especially the writings of the saints) become closer to God, get to know and love Him more, talk to Him every day, visit Him at church often, go to confession more than just when you have mortal sins to confess,
and when you grow more and more in holiness, that will shine through you, Gods love will flow through you, and it is that way that you will help your family, without even really trying,
you simply need to work on your relationship with God, because the more you love God, the more of Gods love will be in you, and then it will be like God living your life, rather then you, and that way God can help your family through you so much more,
even though they cannot be forced to love God or see His love, but who knows their hearts better? if there is a way, God can do it.
although one thing i’ve noticed alot, is the great number of people who are really turned off by the gushy emotional type of Christians, so i think it’s also important to point out, love is not a feeling or emotion, your can get certain feelings and emotions as a result of love, but love itself is instead an act of the will, which is why we have a “free will”,
that is truly what makes love genuine, and why God cannot force us to love, because if love is forced, it is not genuine, and if love is not genuine, then it is not love at all.
so basically, for others to see our love, we don’t have to cry all over the place or smile constantly or speak in an overly sweet manner,
instead we show our love the most by being selfless, by denying our own comfort and ease for the sake of others, by doing what’s hard and painful for the love of God,
by doing those things, you show that you love others more than you love yourself, and that you love God more than anything else.
so to answer your question, yes, God does want us to intervene, but words are not the only way,
we are supposed to admonish others of their sins, and instruct the ignorant, those are 2 of the spiritual works of mercy, so it is your place to do that, however, there are certain circumstances where we should not do those things, for example, if saying something would make matters worse, or if what you say would only turn into a laughing matter(throwing pearls before swine - Matthew 7:6)
also, if you tend to admonish others with anger then you should not do it, because we must admonish sinners lovingly and gently,
or if you are just in doubt as to whether you should admonish someone or not, then you probably shouldn’t.
preaching verbally is good of course, but preaching by example is better, and when(or if) they have seen Gods love and begin to love Him, then they will *want *to talk about religion, and so love just has to come first, it’s love that inspires and motivates, so that should be your goal.
well, i think i’ve said enough, but if you have any other questions please ask.
ok, hope this helps, take care.
I also have been bugging my dad to go to confession and reminding him what can happen if he died with a mortal sin on his soul. I’m not even sure if this is my place to discuss the fate of THEIR souls with them?? I’m not saying either of them will go to hell…just to try to get closer to God and accept his graces. I just feel like I need to say something to them. I mean, doesn’t God want us to intervene?
