My world is falling apart. Please pray! - Page 5

ManOfWord · #41 11-08-2008, 08:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Margies3

MOW! 38 years!! What in the world! Please tell me what happened and how he escaped that. You can take it to PM if you would rather. Oh my goodness, I am spastic over 3 days. I can't imagine how you and your wife must have felt looking at 38 years

I think I posted in detail on NFCF, but will give the summary:

It was about 2 yrs ago, he was hanging around the WRONG people, got into drugs and got talked into robbing a few houses with these "low lifes." One of the houses he broke into was a kid he used be on the high school wrestling team with and stayed with when my wife and I went to Florida a couple of times. They were in the house, and the kid came home and tussled with the other guy. The other guy told my son to get a gun and like an idiot, he went to the car and got a gun. The other guy held it to the kid's head and threatened to shoot him. Then they left.

I got a visit at the church by a Capt. from the Sheriff's office I knew asking if I knew where Jason was. I thought he was at work. He called his work and they said he was fired. Next thing I know, they have a statewide man-hunt for these armed and dangerous suspects. I prayed with the police who were searching and just prayed to God that my son would be captured alive.

He was and due to the burgluries and gun spec, he was facing 38 years in prison. The kid was hurt in the fight and had to have surgery on his hand. I know the Prosecutor, the Sheriff, the judges etc. It was very awkward. My son told the Sheriffs that the gun was fake and I knew he had a soft pellet gun that looked just like a Desert Eagle.

Long story short, it was a real gun and he finally confessed to that fact. That was what finally broke him. Well, he got 5 yrs probation, and had to go to a re-hab facility and complete their 6 month program which he did in 4 months. Came home, changed his friends, is active in the Youth Ministry, is working 2 jobs and doing well. He has paid every dime of his attorney fees, fines, insurance claims against him etc. My wife and I refused to suffer financially for his mistakes. I've always taught my kids, "If you can't do the time, don't commit the crime!" They've never forgotten those word of wisdom!!

The final story in the paper was that the kid that got hurt and my son reconciled at the courthouse. I was this kid's wrestling coach and it was as difficult for him as it was me. It was an awesome ending to a very difficult time for me, my wife and our church. God got the victory and the glory!! I have my "new" son back and he is doing very well.

There is hope!!!!

The rest of the guys are still getting into trouble and in jail. Jason was the only one who got out of the cycle.

Scott Hutchinson · #42 11-08-2008, 08:24 PM

I just saw this,but you have my prayers.

Blubayou · #43 11-08-2008, 08:26 PM

Thanks MOW for sharing your son's story. It is just amazing to watch God take an impossible situation and work it out.

Margies3 · #44 11-08-2008, 08:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Esther

Margie I think what may add to your distress is the arson charge with Walt being a fire chief. But it is ok, God will take care of you and your son.

You are very right about that, Esther.

I went to the website tonight for the facilities where he is being held. That helped me relax SOME. It's just so scary tho thinking about Keith being there by himself. I know he'll be fine. I know that. But there's this Mom's heart thing......... I'd rather it was me there than him. It breaks my heart thinking how scared he has to be. I know it's good for him. I keep trying to remember that.

I really do appreciate all of you and your love and support. You've been there for me more times than I deserve. I didn't know it was possible to love people you've never seen face-to-face this much.

Margies3 · #45 11-08-2008, 08:41 PM

MOW, thank you for putting this into perspective in such a powerful way for me. I hate that you had to go thru this like you did. But I'm thankful that your experience is such a powerful witness to me. Thank you!!

ILG · #46 11-08-2008, 08:47 PM

MOW, that's an amazing story. Thanks for sharing.

Sherri · #47 11-08-2008, 08:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Margies3

You are very right about that, Esther.

I went to the website tonight for the facilities where he is being held. That helped me relax SOME. It's just so scary tho thinking about Keith being there by himself. I know he'll be fine. I know that. But there's this Mom's heart thing......... I'd rather it was me there than him. It breaks my heart thinking how scared he has to be. I know it's good for him. I keep trying to remember that.
I really do appreciate all of you and your love and support. You've been there for me more times than I deserve. I didn't know it was possible to love people you've never seen face-to-face this much.

Margie, I would dare say that your son will always remember these three days and it will keep him from further trouble and yielding to temptations in the future. I know it's hard to sit back, as a mom, and let him suffer through it, but he will be better for it.

ManOfWord · #48 11-08-2008, 08:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blubayou

Thanks MOW for sharing your son's story. It is just amazing to watch God take an impossible situation and work it out.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Margies3

MOW, thank you for putting this into perspective in such a powerful way for me. I hate that you had to go thru this like you did. But I'm thankful that your experience is such a powerful witness to me. Thank you!!

It was like a nightmare that you kept waking up to. It was REALLY hard for my wife. We cried more than once. Our church saw us walk through this and never once did I try to use my relationships to get Jason "off." I was ALWAYS there for him and he knew I would be. I visited him in jail frequently for almost 6 months.

Now, I teach a Life Skills class at the County Jail, and have great respect from the Sheriff and the Administrator. They let me teach whatever I want from whatever source I want....obviously including the Bible. I've had inmates attend church as a result and just took one to lunch this week and got a letter from another one who was sentenced to the prison farm in Grafton.

God will use whatever we give Him for His glory. Don't hold anything back! Never waste a hurt!

MawMaw · #49 11-08-2008, 09:13 PM

Sis Margie, just now reading this thread. I will surely keep your family in my prayers. I am almost definite that your son has already learned his lesson and will be very careful of what he does from now on. It's going to be alright. In Jesus' Name!

Evang.Benincasa · #50 11-08-2008, 09:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Margies3

I am so humbled. Coming on here today and finding 34 posts in this thread means more to me than any of you can even imagine.

And I can't tell you how much of a comfort it has been to me to read so many of your similiar experiences. I've spent the whole day beating myself up and thinking that I don't know anyone else who has had a child get in this much trouble this young; wondering where we went wrong and how we can turn things around. You've given me hope and I am so very, very grateful!!!

Please keep praying. I love you all!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sister, your son just got picked by group pressure. Through his tears and fears of what MeMaw would think says a lot about how he is feeling. When I was 13 I was a major problem for my mother, and I kept on getting worse and worse as time went on. I caused my mother massive pain. Still she got to see me come into the Apostolic Faith and live for God, and preach.

My family never thought I would make it. They truly thought that I would end up dead. Sister Margie, it's all a grace builder, and your son will live through it, and Jesus has your hand every step of the way. If it wasn't for Jesus' goodness we could never make it. Yet, Jesus will take care of it, because He knows all about it. Our church family will have you, your mother, your son, and family in prayer. Knowing that all of this is just a bump in the road, and Jesus is at the wheel.

Amen,

Lord bless you Sister

In Jesus name

Brother Benincasa