You know what the Lord says about people who refuse to forgive. They will not be forgiven. That means they will not find the peace and contentment that the Lord wants for us all. I don't know why our children have chosen this path for their lives. But the path has not ended yet. Many people have been saved and changed while in prison, so I imagine they can be saved and changed on the outside too.

I too have a son that once sat on my lap. I too have a grandson whose face I am forbidden from seeing. It's like a knife in my heart at times. But I know in whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day. 2 Timothy 1:12 Be well.

So true dmson8 and Tikva. In our case it is our ED. The story is not finished yet. God is in control although our EC and in laws may think they are. God has a plan. We will take one day at a time, be thankful, and pray.

If anyone could put the similarities of our children together, maybe could figure out how things went wrong.

dmason8 - you could be writing my story. My son was the same way. Then DIL came into the picture and she vowed that he would have no contact with his mother because she refused to acknowledge her birth mother telling lies about her that I later found out were very false.

Her plan was that they would have contact with the rest of the family, aunt/uncle/cousins. But it back fired on her. They told my ES that if he didn't want his mother in his life, they wouldn't be in their lives. It has been 7 years.

But I have learned to let go and let God; the anger is gone; now it just seems like such a stupid thing for these kids to do - alienate both their families.

You know what they say "what comes around, goes around" & someday they will be in R shoes & will want to know how to cope with their own children who R teating them "just terrible" & when they ask how we coped we can smile & say "well I forgave you honey because I love you - It was the behavior I didn't appreciate" Damson 8 I know it hurts with me it started with my son about 25 yrs ago but pray does help just taking him to the Lord each night & each morning gave me the reassurance that he had a band of angels around him - of course he didn't but I was to stressed out at the time to rationalize that.
Don’t worry God is never blind to your tears, never deaf to your prayers & never silent to your pain. He sees, He hears and He will deliver - we just have 2B patient.

Dont you think God honors those that dont give up praying for someone they are concerned for???I have more peace,, but that doesnt mean God will answer the way I would like... I have been estranged, forsaken, forgotten from a young son, just shy of 14.. It was just wrong and wicked for it to continue;; So many of you have carried the heartache alot longer,, I cant imagine for 20 yrs. How wide and deep is the void in your heart??. It breaks my heart , why should someone hurt like this??? There are examples in the Bible of those who did not get the answer they wanted in prayer,, I think of Samsons parents, they mustve been so disappointed.. and how about David,, tho he couldve done better, and took charge of his family.. He had a good wife in Abigail, but it wasnt enough (idiot) but God did bless him.. tho I bet he wouldve wanted his family whole... Noah was so rightous God gave him a insurmontable task,, seriously,,, how many of us could build a boat of that size?? I get frustrated and quiet ornery building a fence.. and I use power tools... but I bet Noahs heart was broken at what Ham did,, he cursed him , honestly I wonder if that was a correct thing to do,, last thing I want is my children cursed... but he had to have seen how those descendents strayed into witchcraft and false Idol worship... I pray and fast for my children,, {I havent seen my son in 8 yrs..Feb 6th, an anniversary Id just soon forget.} I havent had the healing I wanted, no holidays , no lights , no laughter rings in the house anymore. I hear no jokes, no corney immitaitions of Monty Python or 3 stooges.. no dreams,, If I didnt have the faith in God that he hears and understands my prayers, my hearts anguish,, I would be lost , I have accepted that I may never know during my lifetime what my prayers do, just as Naomi, after she lost her husb and her boys,, her greatgrd children became the kings of Israel.. I just keep trusting that Gods plan is much better than I can imagine.. I am giving it to Him,, and I am finding peace again ... I cant dwell anymore on what the family has done,, what my son has done,, I have to focus on what God can do...

Your post, also, reminds me of one of the greatest men in the Bible, Paul. He prayed for the thorn in the flesh to be removed and for him it never was. Look how he was so greatly used by God through this trial. God works in His way and in His timing. We can trust He knows what is best. He loves us.

Welcome dmason8. Most of our EC had someone negative influence them to believe we don't really love them. How they believed that negative influence is hard to understand. I'm glad you're trusting God. He does give us peace when we leave our EC with Him. Something I couldn't believe in the begining, but am learning now. Who knows what will happen in the future. Maybe God can get through their hard head at some point. Anyway, we did our best and children have a choice which way they want to go. Sad they chose this route.

Glad that you have found us dmason8. I'm pretty new to the group myself and have found so many encouraging friends here.. It sure has helped me to hear that I am not alone. No one understands unless they have been through it. Your story is very similar to mine except it is my son and the girl he is marrying. Our son has threatened to call the law on us for trying to see him. I want my sweet son back in my life. Just a phone call or visit sometimes. I am depending on the Lord everyday to get me through. Sometimes I don't even know what to pray, all I can say is "Lord, please help me." Prayers to you dmason8 and to all of you.