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Post by annpraying on Oct 22, 2017 0:24:56 GMT
My husband and I have an estranged adult son and are hurting really bad right now. I know you too have a very heavy heart as you're in a similar situation so it seems very self absorbed to ask this , but we could REALLY use some extra prayers right now. If you're so inclined to pray for complete strangers (us) we would really appreciate it. We will pray for all the members of this site, as well, that you receive Gods mercy and grace. ❤️
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Post by JeepGirl on Oct 22, 2017 3:20:34 GMT
Annpraying, You are absolutely NOT "self absorbed". I am asking the Lord, at this moment, to please intervene in all that is happening in your life. If it is not God's will for reconciliation at this time, then I pray for Him to let you and your husband know HE is right there with you and that you will feel HIS comfort in spite of what you are experiencing. The pain of estrangement is beyond explanation and goes so deep into our souls, along with shock, disbelief, feelings of hopelessness and so many other emotions. It is almost like a death occurring every day of our lives. But I know HE can give us that "...peace that passes all understanding..." and I am praying for that Holy Spirit peace for you and your husband right now.
Thank you for reaching out to us for prayer. We do understand. Yes, we are all going through our own estrangements and are all at different points in this journey, but I can assure you, that when one of us is down, there are others on here who can stand in the gap for us. I am standing in that gap for you at this moment.
Lots of prayers and love......
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Post by everloving11 on Oct 22, 2017 13:48:05 GMT
Oh annpraying you are definitely NOT a stranger to us. We are all sisters (and brothers) who share common bonds, most notably the Lord Jesus Christ. And we just happen to have estranged children in our hearts, though not in our lives right now. I am praying for you. It was almost exactly two years ago that our ES "left" us emotionally. He is so angry at God, so he is rejecting us as well. As birthdays roll around (ours and his) and family holidays (Thanksgiving and Christmas) it is especially painful. Yet, the peace of God seems to fill the void. Praying for peace for you and your husband as well. And, of course, we do pray for full reconciliation. God bless you today and the coming days.
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Post by everloving11 on Oct 22, 2017 13:48:20 GMT
Oh annpraying you are definitely NOT a stranger to us. We are all sisters (and brothers) who share common bonds, most notably the Lord Jesus Christ. And we just happen to have estranged children in our hearts, though not in our lives right now. I am praying for you. It was almost exactly two years ago that our ES "left" us emotionally. He is so angry at God, so he is rejecting us as well. As birthdays roll around (ours and his) and family holidays (Thanksgiving and Christmas) it is especially painful. Yet, the peace of God seems to fill the void. Praying for peace for you and your husband as well. And, of course, we do pray for full reconciliation. God bless you today and the coming days.
oops - it posted twice --- guess, twice the prayers!!!!
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Post by annpraying on Oct 22, 2017 16:53:08 GMT
Thank you JeepGirl and everloving11. Just reading your words of encouragement made me cry. We are so fragile right now. Like many of you, we would have never guessed that one of our children would decide to walk out of our lives. It's really unimaginable. We were so close and then when our ES met his eventual wife, he pulled further and further apart until no contact at all. If anyone understands the pain and agony of such a loss, I know this group does. I am SO, SO, SO grateful for your prayers during this incredibly difficult time. I know they're helping - I feel a little more at peace today. I feel the holy spirit working. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. I will continue to pray for you as well. So good to have such a loving support group that understands. Sending prayers, love and good vibes your way!
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Post by luke2231 on Oct 22, 2017 19:01:56 GMT
annpraying,
I'm so glad you took that step of asking for prayer. Sometimes even strangers can pray things for and over you that the people who know you can't, so thank you for asking! As the others have said, you aren't alone! We all have different estrangement experiences with our sons or daughters, but we all have the assurance and faith and hope that God is working in their lives while we are "out of the picture," so to speak. Like you, our son met our now-DIL, and the once close relationship we had with him slowly eroded over a period of years, until we too, have been shut out completely.
Most people in your lives truly cannot understand how this could happen. Understandable, because YOU don't know how it could happen. People may tell you that you should try to fix the relationship (they told us that), but from where you sit, it seems unfixable. And as the parent, who could always fix everything, letting go of that is hard. HOWEVER, you know the only One who can take broken things and make them new, even when you can't! My prayer for you is to learn to lean on Him in anything and everything. To take this most unimaginable pain and use it to find His goodness and blessings in each day.
If I may offer you some advice - keep coming here and asking questions or sharing your heart with us. While most of us would give anything to have our kids back, you'll find that we've also learned to somehow move forward with our lives, and can offer you perspective on how life can still be good, even with part of your heart missing. Please know that you're not walking this journey alone... Hugs and prayers...
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Post by lindajoan on Oct 22, 2017 21:49:21 GMT
I am so thankful you came here. We understand and care. We will certainly be in prayer for you. Please come often.
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Post by annpraying on Oct 22, 2017 22:22:39 GMT
Thanks luke2231 and Linda Joan. I am confident that God, in all His wisdom, bought me to this site yesterday. I am already feeling blessed by the love and support, and for you, on this site. ❤️❤️❤️
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Post by everloving11 on Oct 22, 2017 23:33:27 GMT
When all this came down two years ago, I felt like I was the only loving Christian mother this was happening to. This is just a ploy of Satan ~ to keep us divided and separated from each other and "the fellowship of His sufferings." These are things only we are privileged to learn because we are going through something others don't understand.
Just heard on Christian radio: A mother was running around looking for her misplaced car keys, then found them right where she had put them and exclaimed, "I must be losing my mind!" Her little boy responded, "Oh, Mommy - please don't lose your heart because I'm in there."
Down deep, our EC are thinking this very thing ~ "Oh, Mommy and Daddy, please don't lose your heart even though I am being so very naughty --- I want to believe I'm still in there."
I may be the only one (I doubt it) that still feels a close connection to my EC. This past week, I "felt" him wanting to reach out to me. Turns out, he was exactly in that place but pride and shame are keeping him away from me. Since he has made it impossible to reach out to him (unfriended on FB, different phone number, and moving to parts unknown in the USA) I will patiently wait on this end. Most of all, he must return to God first or his turning to us will just be a tiny bandage on a huge sore.
I am rambling. I am a teacher and have to finish up my report cards before tomorrow hits but was busy with a celebration of both my husband and my birthdays this month. Our 3 daughters and 6 of our 11 grandchildren were here. WE are grateful for the family who still acknowledge us ~ but miss the ones who are kept from us. Oh, sigh - you're in good company annpraying!
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Post by annpraying on Oct 23, 2017 1:57:52 GMT
As much as I wish none of us were in this situation, there is some comfort in knowing we're not alone and that there are others that understand our situation. Thanks again, everloving11, for opening your heart and sharing your story. I love your perspective.
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Post by everloving11 on Oct 23, 2017 12:27:20 GMT
Before I found this group, I was a wreck...I vacillated between emotional numbness and episodes of tears. There comes a point when you realize you cannot add one inch to your stature or one hair to your head...or one EC back in your life by fretting and stewing. Most of the people in my life who needed Jesus have come to Him when I let go of my emotional manipulations and let God freely work. Of course, I would often try to take back control --- but it certainly is a blessing to rest in the assurance of His understanding, love and peace. During the time I was struggling the most, I came to God in tears and asked Him how He could identify with my pain. After I was in a position to listen to Him, He said, "Oh Child, I had to do the unthinkable: I estranged Myself from My Son on the cross. I had to do it for you." I broke down in tears --- He really does understand our pain. Have a blessed day knowing that God cares and so do we.
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Post by byhisgracealone on Oct 23, 2017 17:25:13 GMT
Oh annpraying, you are not alone! This site is filled with wonderful, caring parents just like yourselves, wondering what happened, and how to move forward. I will absolutely keep your family in my prayers...
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Post by lindajoan on Oct 23, 2017 18:11:41 GMT
I am thankful you've found this site.
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Post by renate9 on Oct 23, 2017 20:56:13 GMT
Ann, you are not self centered or self absorbed. We understand your pain, I know I sure do. Praying for you.
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Post by JeepGirl on Oct 23, 2017 23:25:30 GMT
This place is so great because we can simply ask for Prayer or we can give all the details of an event. Whenever I gave specifics about something, I never felt judged and always felt support. Sometimes we are so close to the situation and emotional that we cannot see it clearly. I have always been thankful to these special ladies and their insight and wisdom. Continuing to pray for you and your family.
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