[__ Prayer __] my family

[Christ_empowered]

My parents drink a lot. I'm praying for them to cool it with the booze, maybe even quit completely. I'm hoping+praying that retirement will change their drinking habits for the better.

There's still distance between me and my parents, but less. Its strange...when we were extremely distant, I'd obviously had too much electroshock (involuntary), so I was oblivious. Now, I've "recovered from treatment," we're a lot closer, and...because I'm not oblivious, the remaining distance bothers me. Things --are-- much, much better, and I praise God (!!!!!!!!). My dad will actually talk to me and joke a little bit, and I can tell they care about me. My mother will, for the 1st time ever, talk now and then about her life growing up and other experiences.

The beach trip was awesome. I think they see God's work in my life more clearly than I do. Not that I'm some sort of Saint or anything, just...I was wretched (how wretched, I don't know...did I mention the shock?!?!) and now I'm remarkably normal, albeit flawed.

I actually care about other people, starting with my parents. I got my mama a salad from the QT today. I can actually go --into-- the QT, which is huge, because I had so much fear of man before that I just did drive thru Dunkin Donuts all the time.

God is good. People...mostly aren't, not really. I wasn't. Now, I'm better, and there's a lot of good in me, because of Christ.

Thanks, as always, for your prayers.

 

[AirDancer]

Prayers continue for you & your parents, Christ_empowered.

As our Lord continues His work on you, you'll discover there are some truly wonderful people in the world. People who love others because they love our Lord first. Just as He has encouraged you in your growth, He'll bring people into your life, whether it's for a season or a year - or longer - because He knows who we need around us.

 

[Eugene]

Did I mention the shock?!?!
Did I mention the shock?!?!
Did I mention the shock?!?!

Brother Christ_empowered, there's an old song: How do I love thee? Let me count the ways . . .
You were shocked ? ? ? We still love you man.

 

[Deborah13]

My parents drink a lot. I'm praying for them to cool it with the booze, maybe even quit completely. I'm hoping+praying that retirement will change their drinking habits for the better.

There's still distance between me and my parents, but less. Its strange...when we were extremely distant, I'd obviously had too much electroshock (involuntary), so I was oblivious. Now, I've "recovered from treatment," we're a lot closer, and...because I'm not oblivious, the remaining distance bothers me. Things --are-- much, much better, and I praise God (!!!!!!!!). My dad will actually talk to me and joke a little bit, and I can tell they care about me. My mother will, for the 1st time ever, talk now and then about her life growing up and other experiences.

The beach trip was awesome. I think they see God's work in my life more clearly than I do. Not that I'm some sort of Saint or anything, just...I was wretched (how wretched, I don't know...did I mention the shock?!?!) and now I'm remarkably normal, albeit flawed.

I actually care about other people, starting with my parents. I got my mama a salad from the QT today. I can actually go --into-- the QT, which is huge, because I had so much fear of man before that I just did drive thru Dunkin Donuts all the time.

God is good. People...mostly aren't, not really. I wasn't. Now, I'm better, and there's a lot of good in me, because of Christ.

Thanks, as always, for your prayers.

Have you started your book yet? I want, yes I want, you to get busy and start writing because I want the privilege of enjoying your writing. It doesn't matter if it fiction, fantasy, non-fiction, poetry, just something you put your heart into. I've been trying to be patient and not bug you about it but I'm not getting any younger ya know.

Praying for you and your folks for sure. Love you, CE

 

[Christ_empowered]

hey. me again. thanks for the responses. I --have-- been thinking about writing a book. Or two. I do like to write fiction. And non-fiction (thank God for that...I actually have 2 papers due at school fairly soon. Time to get crackin'...).

I used to think I'd write a psychological, horror suspense novel about evil psychiatrists, shock treatments, lobotomies, mixed in with the occult. Then I thought...

...well, maybe 1 day. Maybe. It is almost Halloween, so a good lobotomy horror story might be a good thing to write, at least in short story form. But is it a --good-- thing for a Christian to write?

--sigh-- I've always been an avid reader. Its strange...see, my IQ estimate was, once upon a time, 120. Solid. The average for a 4 year degree holder is 115, so...within the range. I thought I was a misunderstood --genius-- of course. Now, after a dip down to 95-105, my IQ estimate is...higher than 120, apparently. Not that IQ is all that important. Too far below average, you have problems. Well above average...well, that's what's interesting. I didn't understand a lot of the literature I read back in the day, but it all positively affected my writing, even now, post-shock and all. Actually...especially now, because even though IQ isn't everything, having the --kind-- of intelligence that = a higher IQ (or estimate) can = improved academic skills and writing skills. See, I wrote reasonably well when I was younger, but now I write much better. This is a blessing...for a while there, I could barely talk in complete sentences, much less write well.

I'm hoping that I can use my intelligence...this time around...to --do-- something. Since it seems I can't do anything in Mental Health, Inc. (even after being expunged+hidden from typical background checks, my misdemeanor --will-- show up on the checks they do before granting a license for many occupations...) and I'm blessed with disability and good parents, writing seems...ideal. I can write, and even if I don't get sufficient $$$ to keep myself going, I can at least...well, stay busy. Writing. Imagine that...

Of course, some writers --do-- manage to support themselves. The school I go to offers a Masters...looks like I could be done in 4 semesters...in Professional Writing. With a degree, I guess I could have credentials that might make getting $$$ for non-fiction writing easier. Then again...I may not need (or want, honestly) to do grad school, even online, especially in something as subjective as writing. Plus...its an English degree, and I've always had terrible times with English faculty. terrible times as student, terrible times just dealing with them (because of my parents, I've dealt with faculty at a different level than a lot of people...). I think "they're pretentious! They're self-important!" and they think...he's just not --good-- enough, cool enough, blah blah blah. --sigh--

I'm rambling. Like I wrote, I have papers, etc. to do, so I'm highly caffeinated.

Thanks again for the ongoing prayers, replies, general...tolerance and support. I mean it. I tend to take over CFnet now and then, and people here have been remarkably kind and...--genuinely-- tolerant.

OK. Finished ("meat gets DONE, people get FINISHED"...something I grew up with, lol...) now. Thanks again.