savedbyhim. I don't think the father in that parable probably sought out his son. He knew God would handle it His own way. It wasn't as easy to find/contact someone way back then either. There weren't phones, emails, texts, facebook, etc..that our EC use to hurt us..

I agree. I believe the lesson is that it works best when we wait on God's way and timing. The Holy Spirit will guide us as we pray for direction. There may be times He says to reach out. We pray.

Barbell we all need to vent from time to time. That's one of the reasons this site is so valuable. We can vent to others who understand the depth of our pain and suffering.

Barbell, my marriage has suffered also. My husband is my ES's stepdad, & he told me he HATES my son, 3 times. That is a hard pill to swallow. It is also affecting both of our health. Stress does horrible things to the human body. I also, do not put myself out there, because Im afraid of being hurt. I pray to God to let my heart soften. I know He has a greater purpose for me, but until I can trust enough to reach out to others, I am of no use to Him. This brick wall I have built up around myself is going to be really TOUGH to tear-down, ((hugs)) to us all.

Father God, I lift up Gordos4 to you today Lord, & I ask that you help her through. this very difficult. time. Give her Supernatural Strength & The Peace that passes All understanding. to guard her Heart & Mind, through Christ Jesus! In Jesus Name, Amen

Dear Heartbroken, I think your prayer must have reached God's ears. I was in THE worst mood yesterday. I stayed totally away from everyone yesterday & cried. My husband got the worst of it. As I was going to bed, a peaceful calm overcame me. I felt better than I had in weeks. I didn't want to go to sleep, because I was afraid of losing it. My mind has been overwhelmed the past 2 weeks. I hope & pray that feeling lasts. Thank you all for your prayers.

I will pray for you. This ache in our heart, as parents, just doesn't seem to ever die. I am glad I have God to learn on and I also pray that my heart does not get hard and cold. I know that Satan has attacked my family and that I have to be strong and pray for them. But this is the hardest thing I have EVER endured. My daughter has pulled away and won't talk to me. Trouble is, I don't know exactly why because we never fought or argued. I think it is her way to punish me for raising her to know God. She told me not to contact her unless someone in the family was very ill or died. What she does not know, because she is not a mother, is that part of us DOES die when they walk away. I am sad.but not depressed. My hope is in God, but I do grow weary of carrying this. I pray for my girls, step-sons and their wives many times a day because none of them seem to respect or care much for us. But my biggest ache is for my daughter who has walked away from me over 2 1/2 years ago. God has spoken hope into my heart many times when I read the scriptures. I know he knows what rejection feels like. Most recently I was laying in bed and was utterly sad and upset. I prayed for reconciliation with my daughter. God told me specifically to read II Samuel 14. When I read it I wept because this whole chapter is about reconciliation between David and Absalom. It is an age old problem. Broken relationships cause pain. The worst kind of pain is with a child who you love unconditionally. May God encourage your spirit and may He reconcile that which is broken.