This Week's Encounters with Legalism

[bbyrd009]

"I had some of those same thoughts about the situation, Margie.
I can't imagine dropping contact with my Mother just because of her
supposed "legalistic tendencies"? At least that's what I gathered as his
reasoning for leaving her alone?? good heavens"

Well, but that discounts the power a mother has over a son,
and if the mother is getting pneumonia, I'd say that he may be justified
in staying away. This might seem harsh, but it is often the kindest way
for the son to honor their parent. But then, pneumonia is a sign to me,
like the one shoe off thing. Double-check this, but I think that is a sign of
"unprepared to go."

[bbyrd009]

And I'm pretty sure pneumonia is
"you are not taking care of yourself."

[Margies3]

Originally Posted by bbyrd009

And I'm pretty sure pneumonia is
"you are not taking care of yourself."

I'm sorry....... I read thru this whole thread twice and I didn't see any mention of his mother having pneumonia?? Where'd you get that? Besides which, even if that is the case, the point is that from his MOTHER's point of view, she probably feels very abandoned by her own son. I don't care if she's not taking care of herself. If that IS the case, then he should be stepping in to get her help - not writing her off and walking away. That's not what you do with someone you love. But again - I don't know where you found the pneumonia reference. Help me with that, please?

[bbyrd009]

Pneumonia is post 1, middle of second actual paragraph.
What about when mom won't listen to anything you say,
and then demands that you go buy her a bottle?
I smell self-pity in her from here,
and kids don't naturally shy away from parents
for no reason, and then go post about it?

[Bro. Robbins]

Originally Posted by Margies3

I KNOW I am going to take alot of flak for this observation before I even put it out here...........

but TV, when I read what you posted, the very first thought I had was that if I were in your Mom's shoes, I am not sure I would want you praying for me either. Not because I am an UC because I most certainly am NOT (I don't even go to an Apostolic church anymore). But you mentioned that you had distanced yourself from your mom before this happened - so much so that even tho she only lives 1/2 hour away from you, you had to hear from your sister 6 hours away that she was even in the hospital. And then, when you heard, did you go to her immediately? No, you waited until "the Holy Spirit prompted" you. Hello? This is your MOTHER!

I am trying very hard not to sound judgmental (I'm not not very successfully. Sorry about that). But what I would like is for you to consider this from your MOTHER's point of view: She has a son who lives a half hour away from her, who distances himself from her because he doesn't agree with the decisions she has been making (even tho she is an adult and has every right to make her own decisions), and who finds out that she is at the hospital with chest pains but doesn't come to her immediately and in fact doesn't even bother to show up until the Holy Spirit prompts him (on Sunday? That's over 5 days later!). I'm not sure I would appreciate your prayers either if I were in his shoes.

Again, I apologize for sounding so harsh. I just want you to consider this from HER point of view. Maybe it's time to examine YOUR heart?

Had some of the very same thoughts myself... seems to me that mom deserves the honor of just being mom... no matter the decisions. I don't remember anywhere where it says to honor your mother and father as long as they treat you right, make decisions that you agree with, or even get along with you..... by being mom she deserves honor. And to go into a public forum and rip her apart like that.... seems like the story could have been told without dishonoring her.... seems like the one wanting understanding, grace and understanding should be willing to provide it....

[bbyrd009]

Yur in my prayers, that's a tuff row to hoe,
especially with that generation. I'm doing
similar with my dad, who is also fairly convinced
of his own divinity...sitting there in that little room all alone,
sniping about...whatever. Of course, she can't hear you,
but you might direct her to "Codependent No More,"
Melody Beattie. peace.

[Bro. Robbins]

Originally Posted by tv1a

I'm fine if no one responds. I need to get my thoughts down about what happened this week.

The background:

The relationship between my mother and I deteriorated since my father passed away in 2008. Without going into details, she has mad some poor decisions with any rational reasons for doing so. As a result, I limited the contact I have with her. My mother is the classic legalist. She knows her standards better than she knows her Bible.

My mom lives 1/2 hour away. But in order to find out there's a family problem, my sister who lives 6 hours away calls me to fill me in about what is happening. My sister calls me Tuesday evening and says mom was in the emergency room with chest pains. The next morning as I was getting ready for work, my wife got a text mom was admitted to the hospital with pneumonia. I didn't have any intentions of going to the hospital to check on mom. The Holy Spirit prompted me to visit mom. I called my wife and told her I was going to check on mom and that I may be late for church.

I had every intention of building my mother's faith with healings I witnessed the past few years. I told her about praying for someone who doctors said needed dialysis until a kidney donor could be found. I told my mom how this lady testified she felt a warmth flow through her body as if someone was hugging her from behind. She said Troy, I knew it wasn't you because you were holding my hands. The lady testified she went back to the doctor and the doctor said her kidneys were doing great, she wasn't going to need dialysis or a kidney transplant.

I told my mom about a lady diagnosed with falling arches. She developed back problems and was in constant pain. She was at our house. I prayed, rebuked the pain, and with a couple minutes she was healed. She was jumping on that leg.

My mom had to interject a story about God doing miracles. Her story was about someone donating $10,000 to pave a church parking lot. I'm sitting there dumbfounded. I'm thinking God is healing people and the best story she has is about a paved parking lot? I wanted to say something really bad, but I held my tongue and changed the subject.

My mother was sharing the hospital room with a lady who was in for various medical issues. She heard the stories of miraculous healings. A few minutes after I told my mom the stories, her roommate started screaming in pain. I asked if I could pray for her pain. She agreed. She told me doctors diagnosed her with restless leg syndrome. She said the pain was seven out of ten. I began to talk to God for a couple minutes. I asked the lady how she felt, she said the pain was at a five. I continued praying for complete healing asking God to fill the lady's body with His love. The lady said she started to feel a warm sensation in her leg and the pain was gone. A few minutes later, a nurse shows up because someone pushed the emergency button for assistance. The lady said I pushed the button to see if you could bring me a pain pill, but I don't need the pill now.

Ironically I asked my mom if she wanted prayer for healing. She said she would be fine. Again, I'm flabbergasted. A lady with a methodist background is healed. A one God, tongue talking apostolic accepts the illness in her body. Needless to say, I walked out without praying for my mom. She had no desire to be healed. Meanwhile the methodist lady had an encounter with God she will never forget.

I know I'll get crucified for this... but I just can't see Jesus reacting the same way as you did.... and I certainly can't see him going on a very public internet forum to bad mouth someone needing a touch from him as bad as your mom does.... I would imagine his heart broken and burdened over the interaction.... reacting soft to harshness... but this post just exudes pride and disrespect for your mom... no matter what she does, says or how she acts.

[tv1a]

I don't mind looking like the bad guy. I won't go into details, those who know the situation agree I did the best thing.

Originally Posted by Lacey

I had some of those same thoughts about the situation, Margie.
I can't imagine dropping contact with my Mother just because of her
supposed "legalistic tendencies"? At least that's what I gathered as his
reasoning for leaving her alone?? good heavens

[bbyrd009]

Originally Posted by Bro. Robbins

Had some of the very same thoughts myself... seems to me that mom deserves the honor of just being mom... no matter the decisions. I don't remember anywhere where it says to honor your mother and father as long as they treat you right, make decisions that you agree with, or even get along with you..... by being mom she deserves honor. And to go into a public forum and rip her apart like that.... seems like the story could have been told without dishonoring her.... seems like the one wanting understanding, grace and understanding should be willing to provide it....

? We aren't exactly CNN here; best thing for her would be to read it prolly, anyway. I don't really understand this post, but I guess a lot of y'all are familiar with each other, each other's churches, etc? Who is Brothomas, anyway? About as anon as you can get, from up here anyway. But hey, if you know them, go talk to her? I'm with Bro, and let the dead bury the dead. Parents aren't supposed to vex their kids, either. The fact he cares enough to seek opinions declares his honor to me, and I've sen no names mentioned.

[bbyrd009]

Originally Posted by Bro. Robbins

I know I'll get crucified for this... but I just can't see Jesus reacting the same way as you did.... and I certainly can't see him going on a very public internet forum to bad mouth someone needing a touch from him as bad as your mom does.... I would imagine his heart broken and burdened over the interaction.... reacting soft to harshness... but this post just exudes pride and disrespect for your mom... no matter what she does, says or how she acts.

His mom wouldn't be comfortable in the same room with Christ, I'm guessing. Quote the "bad mouth" part for me, again? No one should have to stand under a shower of pee, and you couldn't find his mom with an electric-mom-finder, I bet, so...?