Just know that as soon as this post is posted I will be praying. It is in these times that we flex our faith muscles and show the Lord what we have. It is also encouraging to know it is in these times that He show us what He can do. Many prayers!
Thanks everyone... Please keep praying...I am really struggling right now, as well as my sister...she is in pretty bad shape. And it is breaking my heart to see her in such despair. My nephew had a hearing today...just to have it rescheduled for 2 more weeks. My mom and another of my sisters were able to be there...I hope he appreciated it...it's hard to know where his heart is right now. My whole family is aching over this situation...we really need God's strength right now. Thanks.
A delay sounds awful now but at least if give you 2 more weeks to pray about this. God can change hearts and minds and everything else in that time. As long as you allow the Lord to take over than even a delay can be a blessing. Not to make light of this situation or tell you to smile and let go and let God. God doesn't expect us to smile and laugh through trials only that we rely on Him. Is your nephew a Christian? If not, then maybe this is the time to pray he comes to know the Lord. If he is than this is the time to pray that He learns to rely on the Lord and longs for a relationship with Him. The bottem line will end up being your nephews relationship with the Lord and what God has to do to get his attention. Your nephew is in a great place right now with all the prayers being said for him. That is at least a start. I will pray again as I hit reply. Sadly, that is the only way I will remember. Oddly, once I do that right away then I don't forget. So, your family has more prayers and I am sure more of these ladies are in his corner. It is amazing what God can do even in what seems to be the most dire situations. Sometimes a difficult trial ends up being the sweetest victory. I only say sometimes because it is up to us to attain the victory and see it for what it is. I pray your nephew and your family will keep focused upward and that God allows you even in this most difficult time to see the blessings.
Leslie, Mor prayers going up, that God will touch your nephews heart and help turn him around. And I will pray for your sister, who is so saddened and hurt by this. Keep letting her know she has your support. She may not be able to voice it now, but I'm sure it's helping her a lot! And I will be praying for you---for strength during this time, and also for words to say and things to do that will most help your sister!
I'm discovering that there are certain myths (or lies?) that, when I believe them, they bring discouragement. One myth this: "If a parent has done a good job with his or her children, they will basically only make good choices in life when they are grown." It leads to the conclusion that if & when they don't, my dh & my parenting is proved to be ineffective at least and at worst, displeasing to God. I so much want to be pleasing to my Creator, that to think I have failed Him in my responsibilities is almost more than I can bear! But looking at that myth more closely reveals a basic flaw: To restate it: "A parent's influence on & training of their children in childhood continues to be the main--if not only-- ingredient for their children's choices, even when they are grown, for the rest of their lives." This negates free-will. We are not designed to control others, like a robot, even for good. Also, consider His first children in the Garden--no inherited sin, no physical or mental challenges, no environmental damage, no co-dependency nor parental mistakes--and with the perfect parent (God!) they still failed!!! So, the myth (lie) that gets me down (& maybe others) is that I'm greater than God, Himself! His first children made mistakes (sinned) so what right do I have to think that mine shouldn't? Leslie, I'm praying for comfort for your dear sister today. She may be quite different than I, & these thoughts might not even apply to her, but I struggle sometimes with feelings of failure and thought that other mothers of Beloved Prodigals might also...
Prairie, It helped me. I liked those thoughts and will remember them! It's true that we tend to blame ourselves. And it's true that others, when they see that, often think that we failed as parents! So to have thoughts such as you mentioned, puts it all in perspective! Also, think about Jesus on earth---his disciples just didn't get it for so long. Even after He died, Thomas was doubting, and, after making some VERY bad choices that must have hurt Jesus terribly inside, Peter was just beginning to understand what Jesus had been trying to teach him and the others all along! I am thankful for free choice, it's the way it has to be. But it can hurt terribly sometimes when those close to you make wrong choices! I will continue praying, Leslie!
You guys are the absolute best. I cannot tell you how much I aprreciate all your kind, compassionate words. It helps give me strength to continuing giving it to my sister! (did that make sense?) What a blessing you all are!
I, personally, am feeling much better. I think I needed to "refill my cup"! I was reminded that when we give of ourselves emotionally and spiritually, it is important to "fill back up" with God's strength. Getting into God's word....otherwise we will begin to feel drained ourselves. That was exactly what I needed. As for my sister...she is still struggling. But...they are wondering if her medication they gave her is the primary cause of this. He mind is so clouded, so she is not thinking very clearly right now. Thankfully she is with my parents now and they are able to question the medication with her doctor. They are looking into it. I have told her that many of my friends here are praying for her and she wanted me to tell you all thank you. She knows she is going to get through this and all of the prayers are very comforting to her.
That would be great, if changing medication would help her mind clear up! Your family sounds "awesome!" Prayers for your dear dad & mom, too! And, of course, her son & the other "prodigals" mentioned at various places on the "spot" are daily in my prayers. Blessings, "Prairie"
The sermon yesterday gave me more to think about concerning God's dealing like a father with his rebellious children. He mentioned the time of Noah, the Israelites, & modern man. Our responses to life's challenges reflect our understanding of who God is. I certainly have a long way to go in really believing what I believe! (I sent you a pm.)
Sounds good...I am anxious to hear what you learned. My sis was supposed to check with her doctor today about the meds. I am hoping they are weaning her off it!
Great news!! My sister found out she has EVERY side effect of the medication she was on...so she was able to stop the med. and is very slowly getting back to normal!! PTL Also, she was finally, for the first time since my nephews arrest, able to talk to him on the phone. They both really needed that. He said they have dropped 5 out of 7 charges against him! What a relief for us all. They said they just didn't have enough on him to charge him with those things. So he is only facing 2 charges! (how in the world did I get to the point of being RELIEVED about him being charged with 2 charges!?!) Anyway, That is good news, but we still haven't heard the greatest news we want to hear so badly...that he is ready to turn his life over to God. So please keep praying for that! Thank you, my friends, for your prayers and support!
Praising God that part of the problem has been discovered in the meds. Still praying that the young man submits himself to the Lord Jesus Christ.
We're thankful for every step in the right direction, even if there's a long way to go, yet. Tell your dear sis that we're all cheering her on!
