My heart goes out to you in the midst of the challenging situation you’re facing. I can only imagine what it’s been like to stand by and watch while the child you attempted to raise in the nurture and admonition of the Lord has strayed so far from the path as to end up in prison. Be assured that I’ll be praying for your son, asking God to provide wisdom, courage, and strength in the midst of this trying time. May the Lord also fill your heart with His peace that surpasses all human understanding (Philippians 4:7) in the days, weeks, and months ahead.
Do you ever write to your son? To an appreciable extent the art of letter-writing has been lost in contemporary culture, but a situation like this, where contact by phone, e-mail, or text message is out of the question, is powerful motivation for rediscovering it in all of its richness. A letter is an excellent vehicle for expressing your thoughts with care and deliberation – exactly what’s needed under these circumstances. To the prisoner on the receiving end, it’s a ray of light and hope from the outside world. So write regularly and often – at least once a week. Use the written word to reassure your son of your unconditional love.
