I don't believe that "Let go and let God" means we need to stop reaching out. It is more an attitude of the heart. It means that when we do try, we don't get stressed and fret about it. We simply wait to see whether there is a response. If there isn't, we ask God to speak into their lives and leave it at that. We don't lose sleep, we don't lose work, we don't give up our social lives, we don't lose our faith. We trust that God is God and we are not, and He has them in the palm of his hand, just as he has us.

Thank you for this answer. I concur with it. We leave the outcomes in Gods' hands, but we are still loving parents.

My 90 year old mother said something to me today that rang true. She said in the story of the Prodigal Son, the father never LOOKED for the son, he stayed home and minded his business. When his son came home at the end, the father welcomed him and forgave him, but never went out SEEKING him. So maybe that is our answer. We aren't to SEEK our ES, but to pray for them, and to watch, and be vigilant for their return, but ultimately it is up to them. Blessings and peace!

This is such a good question. I love what Poodle's wise mother said. As we pray and put our EC in God's hands He is more than able to work in their lives. Only God can change hearts. As we pray if Lord leads to reach out to our EC,in some way,then we obey His voice.

To me Let Go and Let God means to pray and know that God is able and we can trust Him to do what is right and best.

I think we need to remember that "Let go and let God" is not something from the Bible. It is something a person made up. (unless someone knows the Scripture reference)

I think this depends on the specifics of your circumstances, but I love what poodlegirl said about the prodigal son's father not seeking him out. The son left voluntarily on his own will and knew he was welcome home when he was ready. We chased our rebellious teenage daughter around for years (although she was with us at home-) we tried to pull her off the ledge (theoretically) time and time again. We are tired and have our own lives to live, so we have opted to let her go and she knows she can come home when her heart has changed. We feel like God has handed her over to her selfish desires, as He says He will at some point in Scripture. Frankly, we can't have her in our lives the same way she left- it would destroy us all.

True. The exact words are not found in scripture. That is why we pray and obey the Holy Spirit and His lesding in each of our journeys. The Isrealites were often called to
rest and other times called to move.

A verse of comfort. 1 Peter 5:7- "Casting all your care upon Him for He careth for you." We are not alone.

One of my favorite non scripture quotes is the following. " Of two things in this life I am sure. There is a God and I'n not Him."

I love all your responses. For me, the topic "detachment" that was on this site a couple years ago really touched me. It spoke of letting go, detaching, and not thinking it was permanent but detaching from our EC while God works in them.

Oh yes, Norske, that "Detachment" was a great post. I continue to be encouraged by the post "Salt the Feed" as well, which reminds us to live our lives in a way that makes our EC want to turn back to the Lord and reconcile with their families.

I love the story of the prodigal son because it is very plain and simple! What I always get from this message is that the PS felt he could return home! That his estranged father would be there and welcome him home. The BEST part is that he returned home with a remorseful heart! It doesn't tell us how long he was gone so that is always a great comfort to me. It can help anyone who is estranged no matter the length of time.

I wait with a prayerful heart for my prodigal daughter to return with a remorseful heart! Until then she is in God's hands and not mine!