My dear Katy: No one person should ever face all that you are facing right now. But, sometimes these are the tests we must face in life & one thing you should remember, too, You are not facing them alone. The Lord is walking right there beside you.
Our only child, a son, will turn 27 years old on Dec. 4th. I look at him and see God's answered prayer, for my husband and I had tried for nine years to have a child. I battled Endometriosis back then. Doctors said years later when I finally had a complete Hysterectomy that they are very surprised that I ever concieved to begin with because the disease kept focusing itself on the one ovary & tube that I had left. I lost the left side due to a Texas Grapefruit size cyst two years earlier before becoming pregnant. But, I had had some dear Christian brothers & sisters in earnest prayer, as I, leading up to that time. God heard & answered in a very special way. But, that's not what I want to say to you...........don't give up on your son (and I know you won't) & it's good that you've reached out to us this way. I really don't think anyone would be offended, especially if they are parents. Prayer is a powerful thing & one can never have enough people praying. Our son went through a "rebellious" time as well. It's that age.......and if they are in public school, they will have a lot thrown at them to make them question what they've been taught at home. I firmly believe only the "strongest in faith" will survive. I am a Baptist (way I was raised & what I stayed with even when I married and left home). Husband was raised in the Pentecostal faith from back & forth Church of God to Assembly of God. He told me years later down the road after he "came to know Christ" that he only went to church as a teenager mostly because they had a pool table in the basement and he loved to play pool (smile), & also because of the "girls". We were married twelve years before he finally turned to the Lord. I quit pushing the subject.......just turned it all over to the Master, as you said, and left it. Stayed faithful myself with good Christian friends. Guess he finally saw what we had and wanted it too. (smile) Now our son has always been raised going to church and being "involved". He was six years old when he "accepted Jesus" and was baptized. There were things he learned at school and would come home and we had great discussions. I think it also helped that my husband & I were involved with the Youth at our church. Of course, his senior year was the hardest & then when he went off to college (even though it was a christian college) he drifted away from church somewhat. He had his "band" and was in to the music crowd. But, you know, I don't think he ever lost his faith or beliefs. Just became "rebellious". After about four years of just sort of "drifting," and much much much prayer from all the strongest Bible believing, born again, faithful people I knew & could get a hold of to ask for prayer on his behalf, he met a nice young lady, decided that he was done with the band & music crowd and once again turned back to church, went back to college and graduated a year later. Now, I do believe he had some questions about certain things in his faith & what he was taught growing up, but as some said to you earlier......it's just part of growing up. Young people have to "try their wings" so to speak. Learn to fly on their own. Over the years, my husband & I also asked ourselves"what did we do wrong" or "could we have done something different". My son and I have had wonderful talks now and he always tells us "it's not what you guys did or didn't do". Course, I do know some things now about some of the kids we allowed him to hang around in school that I would have changed......and I often think about some other things we might have done differently.......but you know, all God asks of us is to "train them up in the way they should go", to love & protect them, to provide for them. When we "let them go" that's it......after that all you can do is be there for them when they need you........give them advice when asked......and pray that they have what it takes to make it out in this often times cruel world. Also, one other thing I think goes a long way in a child's eyes......let them see that you stay "faithful & consistant" in your own life. When the "hard times" come......they will see how you handle them, whether or not you turn to God & remember to Praise & Thank him afterwards, no matter the outcome. God has been so very faithful to me, even when I'm not to Him.....he's allowed me times to see that things could be soooooooo much worse than they really are. I could not make it in this life without Him in it. Allow your son to see this. And, the others were right......you cannot push your beliefs on him........it's a "personal" thing when someone "comes to know Christ". Just be there for him and give him honest answers when asked. Ask all you know to be praying for him. God will take care of the rest. I always asked that "since I couldn't be there everyday for my child, that God would put someone in his path or send someone into his life" that would have a positive Christian influence on him that I couldn't. I believe He did that. Never give up on them. Well, I think I've said enough.....& we can converse privately if you want to continue this conversation. I know some great "Prayer Warriors" if you care to know them too. Thank you, & Keep Looking Up, Suzieq --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ [CMLHope] A support group of http://cmlhope.com ------------------------------------------------- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "CMLHope" group. 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