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Post by lindajoan on Feb 19, 2017 16:02:37 GMT
Good Morning Ladies,
There is a touch a spring where I live on the east coast. I am thinking of you all and sending up a prayer for you as I am about to enter church.
We have all gone through so much. It wears us out. Doesn't it? I am reminded of my Mother's favorite verse from Nehemiah. "The joy of the Lord is my strength". We needed the strength of Jesus each day.
We also need one another. Some of you we have been missing and would love to hear from again. Please leave us an update, a word of encouragement, or a prayer request. We need one another.
If you are new,here, and have not posted yet please know that we welcome you and that we do understand your pain and loss. We are here for you.
Blessings, Linda
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Post by Deleted on Feb 20, 2017 2:07:00 GMT
"Let everything that has breath praise the LORD." We serve an awesome God!My estrangement has not ended, but I am so thankful God is faithful to carry us over this rugged road we all are traveling. It has been 4 years now, but as I reflect back, I thank God for seeing me through some terrific times when I felt all hope was lost. I have learned the hard way, without God I am nothing and at the end of the day, my relationship with God is the only thing that really matters. Who else can do more for you than God? All he wants is for you to draw close to him and trust him. He will make something beautiful out of what we would consider a disaster beyond repair. I am awed by the way he uses people, things , etc to prove his infinite love, wisdom, and power. A few months ago I watched my brother die from a disease no man should have to suffer. God restored our relationship during this time just to have him taken so quickly. To say the least, his death for me was devastating. But..... God knows the beginning and the end to each of our lives and this was the appointed time for my brother. I praise God for the relationship restoration , but more than that, I witnessed how God can soften the hardest of hearts. I praise him knowing someday I will see my brother again! God is so GOOD. Is there nothing too big for God? Absolutely NOT! Keep looking up.... I believe we are living in the final days and God is coming back for his church, a spotless church! When the Son of God returns, will he find any faith on earth? Now is not the time to become tired and weary. Keep marching on........
Matthew 6:33 Context
30Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? 31Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? 32(For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. 33But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. 34Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself.
God Bless everyone and know that you are loved! In due season we will witness our sons and daughters returning to GOD and to us. In it is written, Trust God and you will never be disappointed.
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Post by lindajoan on Feb 20, 2017 4:12:16 GMT
Faith, Thank you so much for sharing what God has done and how He has answered prayer. I know I have said it before but I am very sorry for the loss of your brother. What a blessing that the Lord brought you back together with your brother and the blessed hope of our faith that you will meet again.
You are so right. Nothing is too hard for God. He can change even the hardest of hearts. We continue to pray that He will change our EC's hearts.
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Post by JeepGirl on Feb 20, 2017 17:00:36 GMT
Experienced that same touch of spring yesterday ,lindajoan. We had a beautiful day, starting off with church and ending with an evening church service and, in between, fellowship and lots of laughter with friends. Even had an opportunity to look at some new jeeps, which I am hoping to purchase soon. Time for a new one with automatic everything(for the more "mature" jeep girl-lol)
I admit I thought of my estranged granddaughter yesterday when I saw a girl around her age with red hair like my gd, but it was a fleeting thought and my day continued. We may not be reconciled yet but when Jesus is in the center of our lives, daily, HE makes it so much easier to endure.
By spending time with friends who are experiencing some difficulties, it took the focus off of us. We spent the day at our home, riding quads, horses, etc. and soaking up the totally clear sky and bright sunshine. The short service we went to last night was a perfect ending to the day.
I know everyday won't be like yesterday, but I do know that the Lord is with me today, as He was yesterday, and He can still give me His love and peace even as I sit here this morning in my messy kitchen.(lol) As we experience this journey of estrangement, we really need to remember those really good days because they will sustain us and remind us we can still go forward in life, even without our estranged children. "This is the day the LORD has made-we will rejoice and be glad in it." Psalm 118:24
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Post by lindajoan on Feb 21, 2017 0:25:47 GMT
Jeep, Thank you for sharing about the blessed day that you had on Sunday. You are so right to keep those special times from the Lord in mind. It reminds us of His goodness.
Although we have not gone through reconciliation with our EC yet we surely can experience God's peace and joy as you said. God bless you.
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Post by brokenmama on Feb 22, 2017 19:58:53 GMT
I cant imagine going through this without Jesus. We ALWAYS have hope...
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Post by autumnwind on Feb 23, 2017 19:24:42 GMT
We are reaching 90 degrees here today. Feels like Summer has arrived and skipped Spring. I have not posted much lately. I frequent this site often, but do not post much. My relationship with my daughter is the same. I will go weeks on end and here nothing, then out of the blue will get a call. She will talk for a few days, then go back to her ways. My last conversation was quite brutal. God has given me peace to walk thru it. It does not bother me so much anymore, because I know what to expect. I just stay in prayer for her and my granddaughter. Sometimes I wonder if it is better to hear nothing, then to take the abuse when I do. I feel like I know all of you thru your posts. You have become my silent friends. May God Bless all of us and watch over our children.
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Post by lindajoan on Feb 23, 2017 20:34:59 GMT
Autumn wind, It is good to hear from you. You are missed. I understand exactly what you are saying. Once in a while our ED will text. It is full of guilt and abuse. It shows that her heart has not changed. It is sad to realize that but God is gracious to reveal the truth of the situation. It means we keep praying for her to have a repentant heart to God first then family. In our estrangement it would be necessary to be real.
I like how you said "silent friends". Let's continue communicating with one another. We need the support. We do understand.
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Post by byhisgracealone on Feb 24, 2017 0:28:11 GMT
Autumn, I also like your term "silent friends." Occasionally at work, someone might begin talking about plans they have with their grandchildren for an upcoming weekend, or vacation. I can't contribute the same in return, even though everyone knows I have grandchildren. I can only wish them a happy time with theirs. That's when I think about my "silent friends," here on this site, and I don't feel alone...
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Post by bleedingheart on Feb 24, 2017 8:39:13 GMT
Hello, I am new to this forum. It is the middle of the night and I can't sleep. The overwhelming pain of my estranged children is heavy tonight. I miss our relationship so acutely and there seems to be no way to fix or heal their hearts. My ex had done everything he can to alienate the older children their mom. He is out in California visiting with them now and this feels especially painful. Thank God I still have my 13 y o son with me. He misses his siblings and yet he knows that his suffering is small compared to other persecuted Christians. He shared that with me last night when he saw my pain over my older children! It all feels like too much to write at this hour....
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Post by lindajoan on Feb 24, 2017 12:38:36 GMT
Bleeding heart, First of all you are very welcomed here. We understand the pain of estrangement. We understand missing our EC. Each of our journeys may be a little different but we have found how much we need the Lord each day to get us through and keep us going. We also need one another.
When you are able please begin a new post if you feel led. Share with us so we may support you and keep you in prayer. Others here have gone through a similar situation. God bless you our new friend.
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Post by JeepGirl on Feb 26, 2017 2:11:41 GMT
Glad you found us Bleedingheart and thank you for sharing. It reminded me how estrangement is so complicated and extends to others in our families. Some of us who are little older, forget that having a child at home can be so difficult. Yes, it is great to have him there to love and cherish but, as a mom, you know he is also being hurt by the estrangement and you feel bad for him. And just like you can't change the estrangement for yourself, you also are limited in what you can do for your son. I am sure you feel so helpless at times. And 13 is such a difficult age. I remember when my son was 12/13 and the hormones were flowing. One minute he would be playing with little Matchbox cars and the next he would be embarrassed about a girl he liked. Not to mention all the craziness and silliness that goes along with 13 year old boys. But they are precious.
Will pray about your estrangement and also for you and your son. Praying God will provide you with the wisdom you need, as well as peace knowing you are not alone and we are here for you. Lots of virtual hugs being sent to you.
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Post by brokenmama on Feb 27, 2017 3:21:48 GMT
We are reaching 90 degrees here today. Feels like Summer has arrived and skipped Spring. I have not posted much lately. I frequent this site often, but do not post much. My relationship with my daughter is the same. I will go weeks on end and here nothing, then out of the blue will get a call. She will talk for a few days, then go back to her ways. My last conversation was quite brutal. God has given me peace to walk thru it. It does not bother me so much anymore, because I know what to expect. I just stay in prayer for her and my granddaughter. Sometimes I wonder if it is better to hear nothing, then to take the abuse when I do. I feel like I know all of you thru your posts. You have become my silent friends. May God Bless all of us and watch over our children. My situation is very similar. I dont expect anything normal anymore. I am very tired of it.....very tired
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Post by everloving11 on Feb 27, 2017 13:46:27 GMT
Praying as ever...
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