I did something awful!

**Twin2** · Jun 13th 2009, 05:56 PM

My son left his MP3 charging at the computer. I looked at the playlist and though not surprised, I was horrified. Now my son is 20 and I can't choose his music, and he knows not to play it around me. I still worry, reading the song titles. The ones that stick out in my mind really are too... well, I won't mention any titles. It's not just the language in the titles, but the actions they suggest...ugh! Then an idea came to me. I clicked on one of my playlists on the computer and I added two songs to his MP3. One song, "Come on In" by Carla and Redemption and the other "I Pray We'll All be Ready" by Chicago Mass Choir. My son is leaving for "beach week" in a short time, so he shouldn't discover the songs until they actually play.

My prayer is of course that these songs will be listened to and that they will minister to him. Of course, if he discovers the songs while the MP3 is playing on the radio, I expect they'll be skipped. Even then, the suggestion of the Lord has the power to stir his soul. I've already told him I hope he has a good time with the things he is okay to do. I hope he is miserable in anything he does that he's not supposed to do. He knows I'm talking about sin. I plan to pray that he is miserable in any sin and he will find his way back to the Lord before it's too late. He knows I'm unhappy with this trip.

My son has been back in church, rededicated his life back to the Lord, but he won't give up his worldly friends. Although he hasn't been doing too badly these days, I don't believe he is saved any longer. He has pretty much stopped going to church too.

While he was in church, my MP3 player stopped working, so my son offered me his. Said he didn't need it anymore, so I believed he was trying to give up his music. I deleted his music and added mine. It was such a blessing for a few months, but the recently he asked for it back. Reluctantly, (inside my heart), I gave it back. He deleted all the music and put his songs back on it. I don't know if he'll think he missed a song or two, or if he'll know it was me. I won't lie about it, or if he mentions it, let him think a lie. He knows I love him and it is important for me to know he is saved. I'm pretty sure he'll know Mom was being rotten.

***karenoka27*** · Jun 13th 2009, 06:36 PM

Mom wasn't being rotten and you know what? I would have done the same thing. My kids would have known right away who did it!

**notuptome** · Jun 13th 2009, 06:38 PM

There is a lot of that going around these days. If your son was saved then he cannot become unsaved. He can rebel against God like the prodigal son. God loves your son with a perfect love and will work in his life like He works in yours and mine. Having been to the woodshed I rest assured that God chastises those He loves that He might draw them close to Himself. Continue to pray and trust God in this matter. God has promised that if we train up a child in the way he should go he will not depart from it later. God's word will not return unto Him void but will accomplish that to which He has purposed it.
No matter how old they get you can never stop praying for them. I know where you are at and I share your struggle. Only the Lord can change things in the heart.

For the cause of Christ.
Roger

***livingwaters*** · Jun 14th 2009, 01:23 AM

Proud of you, MOM!!! Here's something I think we, as moms, should take to heart and prove it!

God bless and keep up the good work and pray, pray, pray!

**Twin2** · Jun 14th 2009, 02:00 AM

Haven't heard from my son yet. I called this evening, but his phone must be turned off. I was going to ask him how the MP3 worked out (he took my transmitter that feeds the sound through the radio). Maybe tomorrow...

LivingWaters, love the saying in your artwork!

**Master Jake** · Jun 14th 2009, 02:05 AM

lol... one time my dad deleted Hells Bells off my mp3 player. That was back when we actually cared though. I enjoy the freedom these days of being able to do or listen to whatever I want. If the music isn't affecting you, then don't worry about.

This has been a message from the secular music organization of telling Christians to stop worrying so much of America Incorporated.

**Twin2** · Jun 14th 2009, 02:24 AM

There was a time when I would have deleted every song off that MP3. Today a scripture I read the other day, Titus 3:2-6 was bearing on my heart. I wanted to treat my son with respect and not anger him, yet I wanted to make a gentle reminder for him

Titus 3:2-6 2) "To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men. 3)For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another. 4) But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, 5) Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost, 6) Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour,"

Well, today, I decided that to do that would cause me a major heartache. Besides, he wouldn't listen to it if I replaced his music with mine. The idea is to get him listening to his music and then "I Pray We'll All Be Ready" or "Come on In" to start playing. He would hear enough of it to recognize it. If he is listening to it in private, he might actually listen to those songs. Who knows, maybe he'd get a laugh on Mom. If he is listening through the radio with his friends, it might start a conversation. At the "least", it might just stir his soul.

Matthew 10:16 says "Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves." I'd like to think that scripture applies to what I did today. While my son is free to listen to what he wants, it is filling his soul with evil. He should be listening to something that feeds his soul, not fills it with junk.

***SethElijah*** · Jun 14th 2009, 02:48 AM

I add songs to my nephews player all the time. They always know it was me...I always get a smile and a big bear hug. The song usually gets deleted, but oh well. They know I do it out of love, and deep down that really does affect them. My sister is a single mom, she has twin 15year old boys and a 12 year old. My husband and I are always slipping stuff in on them. They are all saved, so that is a blessing, but they listen to some of the most...um...worldly things sometimes

**Dani H** · Jun 16th 2009, 03:27 PM

How is it awful to think of your son and want to share some of your life with him?

You added two songs to his MP3 player. It's not like you stepped on his puppy or drowned his kitten.

Keep it in perspective, lovey, it's all good. You're his mom, not the CIA. We're allowed to invade their privacy just a little bit. They came from our womb, no?

Plus he probably thinks you're way cool for even knowing how to operate an MP3 player, PLUS a computer.

***Reynolds357*** · Jun 16th 2009, 04:01 PM

Originally Posted by Master Jake

I enjoy the freedom these days of being able to do or listen to whatever I want. If the music isn't affecting you, then don't worry about.

As Christians we can listen to or do whatever we want? Sounds like some off base doctrine to me. That was most definitely not what the Apostle Paul taught.

***Firefighter*** · Jun 16th 2009, 06:25 PM

Originally Posted by DaniHansen

How is it awful to think of your son and want to share some of your life with him?

You added two songs to his MP3 player. It's not like you stepped on his puppy or drowned his kitten.

Keep it in perspective, lovey, it's all good. You're his mom, not the CIA. We're allowed to invade their privacy just a little bit. They came from our womb, no?

Plus he probably thinks you're way cool for even knowing how to operate an MP3 player, PLUS a computer.

If this site had a "Post of the Month", this would be it... GREAT POST!

**Ta-An** · Jun 16th 2009, 06:50 PM

Any response from him yet??

**Faithwalker** · Jun 16th 2009, 10:20 PM

Originally Posted by notuptome

God loves your son with a perfect love and will work in his life like He works in yours and mine. Having been to the woodshed I rest assured that God chastises those He loves that He might draw them close to Himself....

awesome ...!!!!

A lesson i`m slowly learning as a Mom...dont try to stop Father from taking your boy to the woodshed...no matter how painful his misery is to watch...the prodigals journey was necessary for him to learn to appreciate His Fathers love...

**JesusMySavior** · Jun 16th 2009, 10:55 PM

I used to be in the same situation your son is in. When I was 19-20 I backslid and did all the things I used to hate. I turned from the Lord and I was at odds with my mom.

I feel your hurt, dear mother, because I remember so well the hurt that was shared mutually between my mom and I - for her, that she was helpless in helping me back to God though she tried so hard and saw the slow degradation of my spirit; and for me - that I had no real desire to return though I knew I needed God but was helpless to do anything about it, spiraling downward helplessly.

There is a certain thing that is shared between parents and children, especially mothers and sons, that they can mutually feel each other's hurts. Be rest assured that if you are grieving for your son, he is hurting deep down inside, sorrowful about his decisions, though he may not show it outwardly. 2 Corinthians 7:10 says that Godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be repented of; but the sorrow of this world brings death.

Keep being a godly mother and give tough love whenever necessary. Be involved with him and his life without being nosy (I pray God will give you discretion on this) and be his friend. Sometimes my mom gave in and would take light of certain situations that I was involved in or hooked on...she never really said much about me going to parties though she disapproved of it. I want to tell you that even though it was easier at the time, I saw a lack of strength in my mom when she gave in to my endeavors.

Be a Godly influence and keep the faith. If God brought me around, he'll bring your son around. Something beautiful happened when I came around, because then my mom did too and we both started growing in the Lord again.

Lord I just pray a miraculous intervention in these peoples' lives, that you would restore and reconcile, and give your grace here Lord. Bless this mother to do what she needs for her son, and help this son to return to your grace. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

**JesusMySavior** · Jun 16th 2009, 10:59 PM

Originally Posted by Reynolds357

As Christians we can listen to or do whatever we want? Sounds like some off base doctrine to me. That was most definitely not what the Apostle Paul taught.

Jake struggles a bit with secular entertainment and worldly ideals. He's a young lad. I'm sure with the Lord's help he'll come around.

Right, Jake?