Devotion That Transcends Approval

Rabia's devotion to the Divine remained constant regardless of suffering, misunderstanding, or apparent absence—her love was prior to and independent of approval or satisfaction. Parents can cultivate a similar devotion to their adult children that precedes judgment. This doesn't mean endorsing harmful choices or abandoning values, but rather separating approval of specific decisions from love of the person. A parent might disapprove of a child's partner, career, spiritual path, or parenting approach while maintaining steady love and presence. This distinction is healing: the adult child is not their choices, and parental love is not contingent on the child making choices the parent would make. This creates psychological safety where adult children feel they can be honest about struggles, doubts, and unpopular choices without losing connection. Devotion becomes a ground that can hold disagreement, disappointment, and difference without rupture.