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[__ Prayer __] my parents' drinking

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I'm 31. I have severe mental illness (my shrink says Bipolar. I dunno...), and I live with my (loving, kind, forgiving, wonderful) parents. Thing is...they drink. A lot. I think my mom drinks more than my dad does, or she doesn't hold it as well. I dunno.

They're both highly productive. My mom can drink a lot and do housework, drink a lot and do her gardening, drink a lot and...you get the picture. They've been heavy drinkers since I was little, so...I'm now concerned about their health. I mean, they get good medical care and they seem healthy, but...wow. That much booze over the years can't be a good thing. My mother also rages when she drinks. Not always, but...sometimes. When I was little it was directed at my dad. As I got older, more and more of it was directed at me. I couldn't have friends over, starting around age 10-11, because she'd wake up from "naps" and yell at them, too.

Like I said, they're good people, its just...wow. They.Drink. I don't drink myself, never did drink much. I"m worried about their health at this point and also...I dunno...I don't know *why* one would drink so much over such a long period of time. Is it sadness? Physical addiction? Feeling...stuck? Life not what you thought it was going to be?

Rambling...please pray that my parents get genuinely saved and give up the booze, or at least take it down a couple notches. Please also pray for their health. Thanks. :-)
 
Your parents - and you - remain in my prayers, Christ_empowered.

When I was growing up, I had a friend who was in a similar situation as you. Both of her parents drank, and weren't always cheery drunks. She decided to try to help them.........by filling opened bottles with water to thin down the liquor. She was eventually caught in the act, but the ensuing 'discussion' was enough of a wake-up call to her parents.
 
thanks, AirDancer. I dunno...sometimes, I feel like I'm just now growing up for real (round 1 was kinda...short-circuited), and now I'm having the sorts of thoughts and emotions I would have had when I was younger, had I not shut down.

Anyway, part of growing up I guess is seeing that your parents are...people. I love my people, obviously, but they are...people, with flaws and problems like anybody else. I'm hoping+praying that they get saved and that their drinking goes down a couple notches (I'd love full fledged abstinence, but I'll take what I can get).

I think my dad feels bad about his drinking. One time, I asked him what he was drinking--not in a mean tone; I was genuinely curious--and he said "none of your business," and made a face. Its kinda crazy...most of the time, they come home from work, retreat upstairs with drinks in hand, and that's it. My dad cooks, my mom stays upstairs, and my dad takes her food to him. I don't know what the deal is...if my mom still has a huge problem with me and she'd rather be upstairs, drinking and watching TV, or if she's just worn out, or...what...

Sorry to ramble. Thanks for your post+prayers.
 
Dear brother, I don't know the cause or the remedy, but their desires can be affected by our prayers for them. May God continue watching over them for their's and your comfort in Jesus' name.
 
When one reaches the point where one can view loved ones and friends as they are as opposed to how one has always believed them to be... and still love them....that's maturing to adulthood. Loving them enough to pray for them as well as to ask others to pray for them.... that's a wise person.

I seriously doubt if your Mom has a 'huge problem' with you. It's possible she's exhausted, as you suggested... or perhaps she's wanting to give you space so you don't feel 'smothered'. You might ask her one of these days. Maybe make some chocolate chip cookies and take a plateful for her when you're ready to ask. Cookies are always good!
 
as always....thanks, eugene+airdancer.

Sometimes, I think retirement will mellow them out, especially my mother. I never realized how demanding her job is/was, even (especially?) now that she's reached what is probably the peak position for her career. Looks like she's gonna retire on a high note (God willing)...

I'm hoping Christ's work in my life will help, too. My friend, Verna, she says one reason God saved me was to help get my parents saved, too. I think my dad is there or is getting there, but I think he needs a seasoned Christian to guide him through everything. My mother...seems to be rediscovering her love of reform theology. I saw an old looking book of Calvin's writing on her desk the other day.

I'm rambling. Thanks for your posts. :-)
 
You definitely aren't rambling, my dear friend.

And I agree with your friend Verna. Knowing how our Lord loves us, it wouldn't surprise me at all that He is shining His grace and mercy through you to your parents!
 
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