[__ Prayer __] our God is a God of restoration...

[Christ_empowered]

...and reconciliation. And yet another chance. Thank you, Teen Challenge (those Pentecostals, full of wisdom).

I'm in the beginning stages of working on a project for a class at Liberty. My mother is excited and trying to help already. I had to tell her I was just starting (I felt slack, lol). We had a good convo. We used to have so much distance between us, a good of animosity, too.

She was surprised that I knew her B-day, which is coming up. I think she thinks I have problems with her, because I used to have animosity towards her because of her drinking. Thanks to Christ, I don't. I mean, I was a snot nosed brat for a while there, true, but...The Lord has changed me in a big, big way. I hope my transformation--or Christ's ongoing work in my life, rather--will win her over. Its weird...she went to this elite, Calvinist college on scholarship, married my dad (long line of Dutch Calvinists), was a Presbyterian elder for a while (PCUSA), and now...nothing. I mean, I think she sees the failure of a lot of hypocrites who call themselves "Christians," and I think its been particularly hard for her, as an intelligent, well-educated woman in The South. Also, she grew up poor and has the "wrong" accent (Kentucky), so she's been surrounded by snobs, also. :-( Rough times.

Its strange...she and my dad started out as struggling, straight out of grad school intellectual bohemians. Now, they're "upper class" for around here, good house, all that, and...for the first time in a decade, I'm close to my family. I always think of God's work in MY life, of course, but what about His work in THEIR lives, you know? My dad even told me he loved me the other day, calling from Texas while on vacay.

Anyway...God is God of restoration. And reconciliation. And yet another undeserved chance. I hope I can show my mother that I really do love her, for realsies, and undo the damage I did (with Christ's help, of course).

This is both a praise report and a prayer request. I praise God for His goodness and grace, and I ask that y'all pray for me and my family.

Thanks.

 

[AirDancer]

Definitely, prayers for you & your family, my dear friend!

One of the brilliant aspects of parenthood: Most parents love their children. Regardless. When there are moments of turmoil in the parent/child relationship, the parent spends time mentally rehashing what has negatively happened in that parent/child relationship.

A lot of parents carry guilt when the relationship isn't 'right' .... "Did I spoil him?" "Oh, why wasn't I more firm with the rules at that point with her?" The list of potential questions a parent asks is rather lengthy.

The best way to convey that you love your Mom? Tell her. And follow that up with a warm thank-you for standing by you during those years when you rebelled, didn't care, or wasn't there. Then hug her. And not one of those half-hearted hugs. A real hug.

Oh, yes, be sure to have a box of tissues handy. There's a fairly good chance her eyes might leak.

 

[Eugene]

It's amazing the changes we notice when we begin our walk in Christ. God's Love is manifest through us to others as we allow God's work in us to come to fruition, and former hurt is lost somewhere in the transaction. Little things like a remembered birthday exhibits care, and not only the recipient is grateful, I believe our Father smiles as He sees you responding to His leading.

You're not only restored to health and a sound mind, all things are become new. You are a new creation because there was nothing worth salvaging of what you were. Continue to let God lead you in these paths He has chosen, and you'll come to experimentally know the reward of being obedient just as Jesus did. Heb 5:8 Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered. Jesus didn't have to do these things for Himself, it was for us. You have a most wonderful gift given you in having parents; enjoy them now when you have them and observe their spiritual growth also as you yield your life bestowing consultation as you can in their struggles because you've been there. I'm rambling and this was not intended as teaching, but to bring glory to God. Keep up the good work in Christ Jesus.

 

[Christ_empowered]

thanks y'all! Eugene, you weren't rambling. I ***R-a-m-b-l-e*** on a regular basis, so I know, LOL.

I'm excited. My mama cares about me and I care about her. I think we can both forget the bad times and move forward, thanks only to Christ Jesus. My dad's getting closer to me, too, and I think...yeah, I think things are looking up. I should say, rather, we're all 3 of us being blessed by God, and that's a wonderful thing.

 

[wren51]

Praise God! Thank you for sharing this. I will keep praying for your family.

 

[Christ_empowered]

OK. Her b-day is tomorrow. Got her some good things, she seems pleased..

I just can't believe what Jesus can do! My parents aren't bitter and angry and sad. I'm not a vegetable. Jesus even blessed them financially, which is huge (the university where they work is very political, so even w/ lots of education, you may not move forward very much).

 

[AirDancer]

One can't escape politics, no matter where one lives or works. Rare are the work places where politics isn't involved.

I'm glad your Mom was pleased with the Dunkin' Donuts tea. As for the "industrial strength" retinol skin product ...... I sure hope it didn't say "industrial strength" on it ..........

 

[Christ_empowered]

LOL. Naw. See, I've gotten into taking care of my skin, because I used to have skin problems, and my mom's followed suit, so...yeah. I got her something I think/hope she'll enjoy...

and you're right about politics. There were politics when I worked at a $2 movie place (I was on the losing end). I just think academic politics get worse because a lot of people are tenured, other people want to be tenured, everybody's over-educated, blah blah blah.

 

[AirDancer]

Academic politics are rather nasty. I do so agree with you on that. Even if they are tenured, and thus not easily fired, some are jealous and concerned about the newer professors. Such a waste of time & effort!