CHRISTIAN PARENTS of ESTRANGED ADULT CHILDREN Community Group

Estrangement makes it difficult to talk about with family, friends, neighbors and church members. Christians are NOT immune to broken families. Talk about your experiences with those who know how you feel and get positive support through your Christian faith...."In these last days difficult times will come, for men will be lovers of self...disobedient to parents,...

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BarbiD 08/04/2014

I praise God every day for every single thing I can think of to be thankful and grateful for. At this time I can actually thank God that He has removed an obstacle (my ED) which was preventing me from ,moving forward into my own destiny. I think part of it was protection, part was to allow me to heal from heart attack and enlarged ventricle, and congestive heart failure. The other part is that I have been working on my next book. Also hubby and I have been continuing to go through belongings and get rid of what we don't need; and I am able to finally begin passing down some of my own dear parents' things to my son. This year for Christmas I have decided to give the still in the box china dolls I had gotten my ED when she was young to some needy children for Christmas gifts. I thank God also for intervening and allowing me the time to write, and look for mynext publisher, and for allowing me the time to devote to other family members who DO appreciate me, and need and want me in their lives. It doesn't take away the hurt still there, but helps me focus on the good and wonderful things.

Norske1 08/04/2014

BarbD - WOW! God is really working in your life. I have come to some of the same understandings in my life. My DH is dealing with cancer and recovery from 2 major surgeries and our ES did come to the hospital and we have had dinner with him and his family once.

A reonciliation with my ES was first and foremost on my thoughts and prayers and it all consumed me for almost 7 years. Now my life has changed. I am thankful that ES has reconnected but we have decided to let him take the lead as to how often we see him.

And when we moved I also gave away toys to children who I knew would appreciate them.

God did give us our children to raise and then let go of. I know it isn't bibical that they become estranged from their parents, they are to honor their parents, but God also made you and me and all the mothers special and gave us special gifts. And it feels so good to pause to remember that we have special gifts from God that we need to embrace.

lindajoan 08/04/2014

As I was reading and reflecting on your post it spoke to me. I then read today's daily devotional from Joni. She spoke of the brevity of life here on earth. Speaking for myself (and probably most all good mothers in our group) I'm sure we are all saddened that our EC have chosen to take this path and that we are estranged from our children we love. It is so much against God's plan for families to have peace. We did not expect it or plan to have this in our lives. I always remind myself that everyone, including Christians, go through trials of some kind in this life. God said we would. He promised to be with us and help us to overcome. We are all at different stages in our estrangement journey but we know we are not alone. Jesus is with us. We can have hope and we continue to pray for our EC to one day see the light.

I was blessed how you shared about dwelling on the blessings. There are many. Thank you for the reminder that life is short and every day is a gift.

sallyannlass 08/04/2014

It is amazing how God is working within us. I posted a few days ago, in the journal section, my learnings since the estrangement from our only child. The learnings include some of what you are expressing. It is very liberating. God lifted me when I surrendered all. I still miss my ES and GC and that is OK. Blessings.

whyonlychild 08/04/2014

It is good to remember to praise and thank God for all the good things He has given us in our lives. That changes our whole framework from being sad and angry to positives. I know that I need to do the same thing and thank God for all His bountiful blessings. If we start our day this way, it keeps us on the path that He would like to see us follow. I have spent way too much time consumed in this estrangement and all of the negatives. I can only change my own behavior. So thank you for your post because I, too, definitely need to be grateful and do good for others and stop feeling sorry for myself. Yes, we all need to grieve but there is a time for that and a time to be glad. I need to look at the time to be glad. Thank you

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