From: muddherhenn <muddherhenn@...>
Subject: [Spatula_Ministries] Re: Going insane
To: Spatula_Ministries@yahoogroups.com
Date: Saturday, December 13, 2008, 3:42 AM

Merry Christmas Angel -
I know holidays can be rough when it's time for the "tough to get
going" !
I have been thinking about you since I read this post and would offer
these insights into your Christmas dilemma . . .
Remember the old saying: 'Let Go and Let God'? It seems to be a
never ending process when it comes to watching our children go off on
their own into life, huh? Yet try to remember that no matter how far
off in distant lands our children may wander, God is still there with
them and in His own plan and time He will awaken good things within
our childrens lives. In the meantime - "don't hold on to your
children so tightly that God can't move them".
I am a constant reader/researcher, looking to find better ways in
which to hold me up during the process of 'letting my son go, letting
God take care of him, and loving him as he travels down his own path'
in life.
Somewhere along that path I have finally 'let go', put my trust in
God that in my son's life, no matter what he does, God still loves
him 'just as he is' and I must too.
That means, for me at least, when my boys come home this Christmas, I
will welcome them home, embrace them, not remind them how 'bad or
sinful' I think they are, and feel the spirit of Christmas working in
all of our lives as we love, share, sit down for a good meal, laugh,
hug, and simply be thankful that we have sons that WANT to come
home. I've also read that "letting go is so very difficult for a
mother - but if it doesn't happen it can be disastrous for a child."
Sometimes, at least as I think about it, life isn't always about us -
it is also about our children and what they need -
Perhaps in 'coming home' and being accepted and feeling loved, a new
relationship can be restored and a new beginning can begin for you
and your son.
I also read that when we let go of our children - we must remember
who's hands we are placing them in: God's. And the joy in that
journey is knowing that God is right there in the 'tough stuff' and
that "all things work together for those who love the Lord" . . .
I don't mean to minimize your pain or anquish over this Christmas
decision - but just knowing that your son wants to come home -
perhaps is a gift in and of itself, eh??
It's been a while since I've visited this board. Just moved into our
new home a little over a month ago and have been unpacking many boxes
and trying to get settled in before our own boys come home for
Christmas.
In my faith journey I guess finally I have arrived at letting my son
go into the hands of our Lord knowing that He is ultimately in
control not only of my own life, but my son's and his partners - as
well. Letting go isn't easy and there are some days yet when I
continue to struggle with it, because letting go seems to always be
painful - but part of the pain and plan is releasing our loved ones
into the love of God who knows the future better than I do . . .
This Christmas we shall simply accept, love, cherish, forgive, and
experience the peace that comes . . . without understanding all of
it . . . nevertheless being thankful that we have sons to share it
with.
Merry Christmas to all here on the board. Joys in your journey all
begin at Christmas!
lynn