Posted by Randall Rogers on December 18, 2016 at 11:15pm
Hello...and thank you to whomever created this site! I'm new here as is my wife Michelle...our oldest son was recently sentenced to 22 years. He's been in jail since being arrested in November of 2015...shortly after turning 17. He turned 18 in prison a few months ago. I've done the math and he'll be 40 when he gets out! He never even got his drivers license! I haven't cried too much lately but I certainly cried a lot when this all went down 13 months ago! I feel like a failure as a parent, ashamed and just hopeless. For the most part my and my wife's families have been supportive but I still sense judgement and condemnation from some of them...it's like it's our fault, which I suppose to some extent it is. But, I've done the shoulda, coulda, woulda over in my head a thousand times and it doesn't change what happened. We can't go back I guess we just keep moving forward. My wife and I are Christians and we've tried raising all 3 of our boys as such. I know God is a merciful God and that He can work miracles in situations that seem hopeless in our eyes. I just pray that God speaks to my son while he's in prison and that he'll turn his heart towards God and know that even if he gets out at 35 or 40, he's still got a lot of life to live AND that Jesus didn't come for the righteous but for the sinners, which we ALL are! Anyway, I suppose I've rambled on enough...thank you for listening and for your thoughts and prayers for our family!
Thank you all for your kind words of support! As many of you know, having a son or daughter in prison is a "living nightmare"! If I was NOT a believer in God and the grace and mercy and forgiveness He gives us through Jesus, I don't know how I'd get through all of this! One thing I know is that we ALL are broken, not just those who are in prison. We ALL need a savior in Christ Jesus! Thank you again for your prayers and support!
Welcome to you and your wife. Yes this is a no judgement zone. Feel free to rant and ramble as much and as often as you like. Although I can't feel your pain for the length of time I feel your pain of having an incarcerated son. We will pray that Gof uses this time to soften the heart of your son. That he would seek Gods plan for his life while incarcerated. Advise him to get involved in whatever opportunities they offer. Schooling, trade training etc...Reading, writing sports have helped my son, as well as bible studies and church. I also sent (through Amazon) Doing His Time, a devotional for inmates. My son has found it very useful. Be sure to add him to birthday and holiday card lists as announcements are made. If you feel he needs encouraging mail, just post that and then you can message people with his info. Don't be too hard on yourself.
Welcome to this site. As everyone has told me---no judgement here only love and support. My son is awaiting trial and has been in county in another state since May. God gives me the strength to carry on. Your words mimick my thoughts and feelings exactly. my prayers are for me to do God's will in all things and for my son's salvation so that we can be a family in eternal life. God bless you and again, welcome.
Comments
Thank you all for your kind words of support! As many of you know, having a son or daughter in prison is a "living nightmare"! If I was NOT a believer in God and the grace and mercy and forgiveness He gives us through Jesus, I don't know how I'd get through all of this! One thing I know is that we ALL are broken, not just those who are in prison. We ALL need a savior in Christ Jesus! Thank you again for your prayers and support!
Welcome, you have come to a great place to connect wit others feeling just as you do. Sending love and prayers to your family and your son. Hugs