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[__ Prayer __] getting closer to my family

Christ_empowered

Christ_empowered

Member
Its me again, lol. I got my parents an early Christmas present. They like it, and...there's genuine warmth in our relationship. I mean, forgiveness is hard to come by anytime, but especially in today's world, but...I think my parents are moving in that direction, and its all because of Christ's work in my life.

Before I got saved and transformed, I don't think they could forgive me. Now, I'm different and...they can forgive me, I think. I mean, not only did I hurt them, I was a burn out. Now, I'm bright eyed, healthy, smart enough for...life, lol, and I'm completely different. I actually care about them and increasingly appreciate what they've done and are doing for me.

Yet another family reconciliation brought to you by Jesus. :)
 
Christ_empowered said:
Its me again, lol. I got my parents an early Christmas present. They like it, and...there's genuine warmth in our relationship. I mean, forgiveness is hard to come by anytime, but especially in today's world, but...I think my parents are moving in that direction, and its all because of Christ's work in my life.

Before I got saved and transformed, I don't think they could forgive me. Now, I'm different and...they can forgive me, I think. I mean, not only did I hurt them, I was a burn out. Now, I'm bright eyed, healthy, smart enough for...life, lol, and I'm completely different. I actually care about them and increasingly appreciate what they've done and are doing for me.

Yet another family reconciliation brought to you by Jesus. :)
Click to expand...

CE,

May the Lord bless and encourage you at this special season. This news of reconciliation is such a blessing. Thanks to Jesus!

Oz
 
me again.....

my dad gave me an early Christmas present. Its a fancy new phone, the likes of which I've never had before. I'm excited.

There seems to be a peace about my relationship with my parents that wasn't there before. I went through a lot, yes, but...I'm just now beginning to appreciate that I put them through hell on earth, too. Besides, the truth is...a lot of what I went through, before I got saved, can be summed up in one tired old phrase: that's just the way the world works.

I'm happy to be alive, happy to be...well, a completely different person. I thought about it, and it isn't just that I'm smarter (no, really; as I've "recovered from treatment," my IQ has gone up), it isn't just that I'm back at school, its that...I'm different now, and my parents can forgive me and can move forward because I won't do anything to intentionally harm them ever again. In the weirdest way, the electroshock is turning out to be...not as terrible as it was before. I mean, I don't have very many memories of my life before I got saved. The shock wiped those out 8 years ago, then a fast paced couple years, then I got saved, then the haze lifted. God has seen fit to use my "treatment" for my good, and probably my parents' good, too.

OK. I wish everybody a very merry Christmas (and a Happy New Year!) :)
 
more updates, lol. My mom and I are actually having pleasant conversations. She's taking an interest in my school work, which is awesome. My dad has been going out of his way to show how much he cares for me (he even got me some new tires for my car).

Its crazy. I'm not who I was...I've changed, this time in a good (very good) way. Clearly, I'm a work in progress. I mean, I just now recovered from heavy duty psychiatric "treatment," so I've kind of been living in a hazy fairyland until recently. Thing is...I was never supposed to recover. To the shrinks' credit, I get it...they didn't see the point in wasting time and other resources on somebody who would never do anything constructive and would probably not even be alive much longer. Not exactly the most Christian approach to dealing with a troubled teen and early 20-something, but, hey..."that's how the world works," right? Right.

So, now I'm doing surprisingly (miraculously?) well at Liberty. Thanks to Pell Grants, it doesn't cost my parents anything, which is a definite plus. I even get some $$$ for books and such, which is a huge blessing.

The Bible says...be ye not conformed unto the ways of this world, but be ye transformed by the renewal of your mind. See, I didn't get it until recently, but I was definitely "conformed unto the ways of this world," in the worst ways imaginable, until fairly recently. Sad thing is...when I thought I was so insightful and unique and such, I was just like everybody else...just a "weakling." :-(

But, no longer. And my parents are beginning to see that I'm ready, willing, and able to move forward in life. Of course, its all because of Jesus. My dad sees that...now and then he pops into a local megachurch, and now he wants me to go with him soon. Good times. My mom...she's big into progressive Calvinist theology, so I don't think she's really into miracles and "getting saved" and all that. Nothing against that branch of Christian thought, but...I don't see them really saving and transforming people. I'm not saying you have to be GOP to be truly Christian...I'm certainly not...but I do think there's something to be said for holding onto at least some traditional elements of Christianity. I just don't get it...PCUSA is now gay-affirming, but they're not into miracles or (it seems) inner-transformation. *sigh*

I'm rambling, per usual. My dad got me a 1 pound bag of Dunkin Donuts coffee, so I've been sipping on that this AM. Good times...
 
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With your dear mother, you might be amazed at the part of her salvation she clings to; give her time to express it. Your involvement with your dad's church is also a great testimony to him, and you'll be surprised at the things you might learn there too. A dear friend once said that someone would come to him after preaching and say that the message was especially for them, and no doubt it was, though without any knowledge of it on his part. You're growing in grace and truth of our LORD, and will recognize truth when you hear it, and ignore that which is error, but can you imagine the fellowship your father is feeling with your presence there with him. My parents have been gone many years, but what I would give to be able to share with them the opportunity you have when it is available..
Happy New Year brother in Jesus' name. :)
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Your parents continue to recognize the fact that you are not the same young man who was hospitalized years ago. They also see you are not the same young man you were when you moved back in with them. They see you have changed. And they see your motivation and drive to do well with higher education. It's no surprise they wish to have a close relationship with you. And that relationship is just going to keep on growing closer and stronger as time rolls along. Our Lord is doing amazing things in your life, my friend, and your parents are not only seeing it but are being influenced by His works!
 
Yeah...I have changed...and am changing, still (praise God). My dad and I get along quite well, which is a miracle in and of itself.

I'm hoping that my people will see that I'm genuinely trying to get it right this time. I mean, I know that everyone who is genuinely Born Again becomes a new person--putting off the old, putting on the new, etc.--but now that it has happened and is happening in my own life...wow. I used to be a mocker. I scoffed at people talking about Born Again experiences, inner transformation, etc. Now, I find that other people are sometimes mocking me and my transformation (ouch). Oh well.
 
Your parents have observed and continue to observe that you making quite the effort in getting it right. They are lovingly pleased by the growth and maturity you've shown thus far. And it's only going to get better....all because our Lord loves you!
 
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