“I'm Letting My Son Go”
Then the man said, “Let me go, for it is daybreak.” But Jacob replied, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.” … Then he blessed him there.
Corinne R. writes:
As I was reading my daily devotion from Streams in the Desert, these verses (Genesis 32:26-29) spoke to me.
In these verses, Jacob won the victory and blessing not by wrestling but by clinging. This is what spoke to me. I must give up my own will and throw my arms around our Lord’s neck in clinging faith.
I currently am dealing with my 25-year-old son’s heroin addiction. My son has been using heroin for about three years. I would pray daily for God to heal my son, to heal him from this demon that is destroying him.
I continued to read on in Streams in the Desert, and this was the next verse quoted:
“Father, if it is Your will, remove this cup from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done” (Luke 22:42).
At that moment, I knew that I had to completely surrender my son to God. I closed my eyes and cried.
I knew that I had to let go and let God. My son is the lost sheep that will be found, but in God’s time, not mine.
Even as I write this today, my heart hurts. Yes, hearts can feel pain. I have felt it.
In fact, my heart has been broken and will always be. You see, my only daughter died at the age of 14. God called her home four years ago. I did survive, but only the grace of God.
Now I must cling even tighter to my God as I surrender my my son entirely to him.
In closing, I would like to share that my love and faith in God has grown tremendously. Through all of the tragedy in my life, he has always held me up, got me going and has not let go.
Yes, there is an Almighty Lord above. He has always been there … if we will just give our complete trust to him.
Blessings,
Corinne R., mother of Olivia and Manuel (my special gifts from above)
Please note that the views expressed in this story are not necessarily the views of the American Bible Society. Story posted on June 16th, 2008 and filed under Bible, Sadness, Death, Drugs & Alcohol, Your Stories, Struggles, Prayer, Grace.
June 16th, 2008 at 1:27 pm
Dear Corinne R.:
With your towering faith and love, I trust and pray that you the good shepherd, will with the Love and Grace of GOD, find your lost sheep.
I echo the New Testament scenario that when you have found it, you lay it on your shoulders, rejoicing.
And when you go home, you will call together your friends and your neighbors, saying to them, “Rejoice with me, For I have found my sheep which was lost!” (Luke 15:5-6)
Please take good care.
May GOD ALL MIGHTY Bless you and yours;
GODSPEED, always and forevermore!
Mary Sun.
October 5th, 2008 at 7:41 am
Hi, I am struggling with my 21 year old son who abuses alcohol and drugs. He is in and out of jail. When in jail he calls me all the time but when out I never here form him. My question is if I let go and let God, does this mean to not talk to my son? I am so feed up and hurt by what the drugs and alcohol make of my son. When he calls I get caught up in it. Please give me some kind of advice. Diane
October 6th, 2008 at 1:37 pm
Dear Diane Coppersmith:
You could, at least, take comfort that your Prince, “When in jail he calls me all the time.”
Your Son does love you. You are his rock, his source of security.
It may be a blessing in disguise that, the next time around if he goes back to jail, and calls you, you will be better prepared to bring him home with you.
That means, with whosever and whatsoever help you can get from Church and Help Centers, move to a totally new location. When you bring him home this time, you actively provide him with professional and spiritual counseling, and monitor his progress, and even regress. This change of venue may limit his freedom to return to his familiar wanton friends and environment.
I understand that it is easier said that done.
However, “With the peace of God that surpasses all understanding, guard your heart and mind in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:7); as well as continue praying for your Son:
(Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34),
please be of good cheer: (Jesus looked at them and said,) “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible” (Matthew 19:26; Mark 10:7).
Your Son loves you. He needs you. Once he becomes sober with a sound body and sane mind, he will be his real good self. With your unfailing maternal love, your and his “Help cometh from the Lord” (Psalm 54:4; Psalm 109:26).
Please take good care.
May GOD ALL MIGHTY Bless you and Keep you; make His Face Shine upon you and Be gracious unto you, and Give you Peace with your Son;
GODSPEED, always and forevermore!
Mary Sun.