Every gardener knows the joy of firstfruits. Few sights are more thrilling than watching an early tomato appear on the vine, then ripen from green to red before your eyes. No peach tastes sweeter than the first one of the summer. It hangs on the tree like an invitation, begging to be picked.
Firstfruits are extra special because they are heralds of hope. Harvest time always comes after seasons of barrenness, followed by planting and waiting. Fruit appears where a few months before the ground had laid fallow: light and life tend to follow darkness and death.
It’s no wonder then that Paul described our resurrected Savior as “the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep” (1Corinthians 15:20). We know, of course, that Jesus was not merely sleeping. He was dead. And if that was the end of the story, we might as well raise our glasses and toast to a hopeless future, “Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die” (v.32) and, even worse, we’d stay dead…forever.
But that’s not the end of the story. Not for Jesus. Not for us. For where firstfruits appear, there are always seconds.
The resurrection didn’t just secure Jesus’s victory over death, though that would be a history-splitting miracle all on its own. Just as His death made a way for all to be forgiven, His resurrection made a way for all who surrender their lives to Him to experience eternal life. If Christ is your Savior, you are a second fruit. Though an earthly death is inevitable, Jesus’s resurrection is an assurance—you won’t stay dead for long.
It’s like looking out of your window in winter. You may see pots that lie vacant on your patio or a garden covered in colorless grass. Sin is a long winter, and death covers the ground in thorns and thistles. It’s easy to lose heart. But look to Jesus, the firstfruit of the resurrection life. Because He is our herald of hope, you can heed the apostle’s words today, “Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, be steadfast, immovable, always excelling in the Lord’s work, because you know your labor in the Lord is not in vain” (v.58).
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100 thoughts on "Victorious Resurrection"
I am so glad to be a second fruit as I follow the footprints of Jesus. Being a bride of Christ is patiently awaiting the healing after the sting of darkness and sin. I am nothing but grateful and blessed that He has kept me in light. I look forward to reaping the spiritual fruits with Him. This is all for sowing seeds while I’m here and with the Lord by my side I shall not want
Today feels a little bit like what I think heaven will feel like. I’m sitting in the sun doing my quiet time while my daughter runs in the sprinklers to celebrate her birthday on this beautiful, sunny day. I hope that I will celebrate the little tastes of heaven I get this side of eternity, knowing that heaven will be so much better!! I pray I wouldn’t try to find heaven here on earth .
Oh man! I’m a few days behind with the reading, but God knows I needed to hear this message today. I’m reading it on my 41st birthday, in my phone, sat by my husband’s grave. I can literally see the place where his body has been planted in the ground. It’s a beautiful sunny day and butterflies are flying about. Today was such a wonderful reminder of the hope we have of resurrection through Jesus (thank you Lord!) x
I am so sorry dear. I am so sorry. I am praying for you and the loving arms of God and others to comfort and to support you.
Now that one trial is over, our family faces another trial. A 4 cm mass was found in my brother’s lung area. He had his PET scan done this morning at 8 a.m. He will get results on Thursday. Please pray that it is non cancerous. Trusting the Lord and know that His will is so much better than mine.
Just prayed❤️❤️
Continued prayers for your brother, MARINA! ❤
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Dear sisters and prayer warriors, thank you for praying for my mom’s hysterectomy. By God’s good grace and kindness, no cancer was found in her ovaries. I cannot thank you all enough for praying for her and for me. I am in awe because God answered each detail of the prayer requests. My mom gets nauseous when she is nervous, she was fine that morning. I was hoping I didn’t cry and make her cry, we were joking around until they were ready to start surgery (another answered prayer). I kissed her forehead and told her I love her and she will be fine. God the call from the doctor an hour and ten minutes later, that everything was clear and surgery went well. I was in tears!
Took her home and praise God, she is recovering well. God bless you all!
All clear. All covered in love.
Thanks be to God!
So very thankful and HAPPY for your mom and family!!! What good news to start the week! ❤
Praise God Marina S. I am so happy to hear your mother’s surgery went well.
This is great news! ❤️
Praise God for answered prayers! This is wonderful news! Praying now that your brother gets wonderful news too! ❤️
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After I left SRT a few minutes ago, this old hymn came to mind.
ALEIDA, I thought of Victor, especially when I saw the words,
“come and heal my broken spirit”!
VICTORY IN JESUS by Eugene Bartlett (1939)
I heard an old, old story,
How a Savior came from glory,
How He gave His life on Calvary
To save a wretch like me;
I heard about His groaning,
Of His precious blood’s atoning,
Then I repented of my sins
And won the victory.
Chorus
O victory in Jesus,
My Savior, forever.
He sought me and bought me
With His redeeming blood;
He loved me ere I knew Him
And all my love is due Him,
He plunged me to victory,
Beneath the cleansing flood.
I heard about His healing,
Of His cleansing pow’r revealing.
How He made the lame to walk again
And caused the blind to see;
And then I cried, “Dear Jesus,
Come and heal my broken spirit,”
And somehow Jesus came and bro’t
To me the victory.
Chorus
O victory in Jesus,
My Savior, forever.
He sought me and bought me
With His redeeming blood;
He loved me ere I knew Him
And all my love is due Him,
He plunged me to victory,
Beneath the cleansing flood.
I heard about a mansion
He has built for me in glory.
And I heard about the streets of gold
Beyond the crystal sea;
About the angels singing,
And the old redemption story,
And some sweet day I’ll sing up there
The song of victory.
Chorus
O victory in Jesus,
My Savior, forever.
He sought me and bought me
With His redeeming blood;
He loved me ere I knew Him
And all my love is due Him,
He plunged me to victory,
Beneath the cleansing flood.
One of my old favorites..I will have to see if it is on my Hymn’s playlist!
Thank you Cee Gee and all my sisters who are faithfully praying for our son! I’ve been fasting and praying since yesterday morning and the Lord has already shown me a sign that He is here and in control. Victor texted his sister and dad last night asking them for forgiveness for the things he said to them in anger and rage. Please keep praying and also that God will soften my husband’s heart towards his son. They’ve always had conflict. Thank you!❤️❤️
Definitely praying with those specifics in mind. Thanks for sharing that ‘breakthrough’! ❤
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I, too, fully understand and appreciate the ‘first fruit’ analogy; thank you, ERIN! This devo is so beautifully written and so uplifting! Praise God for this Truth. He made a way. He ALWAYS makes a way! V. 58 is a great reminder! I really like the NIV for this verse:
“Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.”
Amen! STAND firm; let NOTHING move you!
Praying God’s blessings over each of you dear sisters! ❤
This is good! You all are leaving good verses for our dear Teresa and Aleida…AND for me to copy and share with my ladies at jail! (heart!)
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Last night we had the worst storm in our town that I’ve seen in my time here. People woke up to trees down, roofs destroyed, cars smashed. But we live in the desert, and after the rain, it becomes alive. What spends months barren and dead looking brings the most beauty after the storm. My troubles are light compared to many of yours, but the hope of Jesus brings great comfort knowing he will do an amazing work on my heart through it.
Oh, Melissa, hiw scary! Thankful you are safe! ❤
Yes, that is always scary to me…that you never know what tomorrow brings! Can be scary unless we know that the Lord protects us physically, even in our death!! Hallelujah!!
SONNET X
BY JOHN DONNE
Death, be not proud, though some have called thee
Mighty and dreadful, for thou art not so;
For those whom thou think’st thou dost overthrow
Die not, poor Death, nor yet canst thou kill me.
From rest and sleep, which but thy pictures be,
Much pleasure; then from thee much more must flow,
And soonest our best men with thee do go,
Rest of their bones, and soul’s delivery.
Thou art slave to fate, chance, kings, and desperate men,
And dost with poison, war, and sickness dwell,
And poppy or charms can make us sleep as well
And better than thy stroke; why swell’st thou then?
One short sleep past, we wake eternally
And death shall be no more; Death, thou shalt die.
Gwineth52 thank you for sharing this. I love John Donne’s sonnets but haven’t read them for a long time!
Oh just the title of today’s devotional stirs my heart..”VICTORIOUS RESURRECTION!!” Do you know that is the most pivotal phrase of the Bible that everything hinges on!! Eternal life..because nothing else matters if we all just die at the end of this quick crazy life! We are never the same when we come to this TRUTH! We have new life! The song right now playing by Phil Wickham says it all titles “I Believe!” When we believe in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ…it is the most unfathomable, heartbreaking, heart-renewing transformation EVER!! It fires me up..because of JESUS, we live forever in a world of goodness, no more pain and sorrow, no more tears and hurt, no more suffering, lies, heartache, striving, aging, scars and depression and anxiety!! Oh my gosh, if that doesn’t bring you joy today, because it hinges on this amazing promise!
The only sorrow I feel after this great Joy, is I want it for my loved ones, my enemies, everyone! When I start praying at night for people on my heart, and then the next and next person, than the neighbors, city, state…and like…Jesus..SAVE EVERYONE!! Like it is such a desire for utopia here and now, but we know the path is narrow, the gate that only the sheep will pass through, and that brings a sorrow. But I believe, that if God can bring prodigals home, which he tells us He will, I have hope for the love ones I am praying for! I am praying for Victor, I am praying for your family Laura, I am praying for all your prodigals, and the Luke warms in our families. I believe you Lord, that you love our kids more than we do, and you are working ALL things for good, for those that love you!! Man is that a run on paragraph??!!
Love you all and and when I pray for the specific requests then I pray a covering prayer for all our She’s! Please let us know you are reading along so we know you by name! Even if it is a simple Amen! (Mary Anne Graves I see you every morning!)
Have a good week! And if your life is in caas, remember the Hope In Jesus this week! Laura Diane reminded us that though it may overwhelm us…we turn back to the truth and faith, and hope of Jesus!
Praying Aleida for your trip, and that you will be a lifeline to your son this wkd! And then He will see the power of Jesus through you!!
Amen ❤️
Love this Rhonda!
Yes, joining in prayer for Victor, Aleida’s peace during their visit, Sharon’s hubby Jeff, Laura Diane, Adrienne, Marina, CD’s neighbors, Liam, Kaitlyn Ashley, Melissa, Heidi, Elizabeth Muzljakovich, and so many others of you who are on my prayer list.
Hugs to all this HOT Monday!
Beautifully said, Rhonda! Love you and your exuberance for sharing Truth! ❤
Oh..exuberance! Love that word!
Such a beautiful and heartfelt sentiment for all of our lost loved ones. Thank you, Rhonda. The podcast guest spoke about how she visits the Amazon forest and the people there talk about the resurrection all the time. They can’t wait to experience it. They freely tell others about it. She talks about how we often miss the excitement of the resurrection here in America because we are trying to create heaven here on Earth. Many people across the globe know the difference between earth and heaven. Their earth is not anywhere close to “heaven-like.” It reminds me of how Jesus taught a lot about the rich man and how much harder it was for him to get into the Kingdom of Heaven. Not because he had to do anything different than the poor man. But it certainly is hard to see your need for Jesus when you are essentially living in “heaven on earth” so to speak. I believe we are the rich man.
Yep, so true! I feel like I can’t wait for Jesus to come! Or to go there in death! Sometimes I am exhausted from feeling crappy all the time! So yes, I think it is easier when things aren’t so good to want the heavenly kingdom!May we always be kingdom minded! The world is scary which also makes my long for heaven as well! Of course there are joyful moments and season…but NOTHING can compare to heaven with Jesus!
What came to mind for me after reading this scripture and the thoughts of all of you is the following song by switch foot that reminds me of the need to have an eternal focus on our purpose. As others have pointed out our ultimate citizenship is in heaven. This is only our temporary home.
“We were meant to live for so much more
Have we lost ourselves?
Somewhere we live inside
We want more than this world’s got to offer
We want more than this world’s got to offer
We want more than the wars of our fathers
And everything inside screams for second life
Yeah”
As a fellow gardener (and child of many gardeners) I love the imagery here. You plan and prep for the coming year, you sow seed, you wait (sometimes not patiently), you work hard and long, and then you see the fruits of the labor- you enjoy the bounty with friends and family! Lord thank you for your son Jesus who defeated death so that I may live eternally with You!!! Praise God – His love endures forever! Happy Monday She’s!
I don’t do veggies, but I am a gardener, albeit it is totally different here in SWF than up north!! I miss all my perennials that come up every year telling me where we are in the year!! Early spring crocus and Blue bells along with blooming bulbs! Then the summer flowers of lilacs, peonies, phlox…then into Fall of mums, coneflowers, and on!! I do miss that so much!! But every winter they all die off and the land looks barren! Then it all comes back again in the new life of Spring!! It is such an analogy of our lives!! Also the trees! But they stay green here all year- I have no idea where I am in the year, it’s very strange!! lol
Dear Rhonda
Those perennials abide in the heart
as our Jesus in the soul…
Much love and many prayers for my sweet sisters, as we embark on a new week.
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So thankful that my body was raised to life after salvation and I do not have to fear death because of Jesus! So while I am still here I will labor for Christ because anything we do for Him is not in vain! Teaching little 2 & 3 year olds!
John 11:25-26
Jesus said to her (Martha, when Lazarus her brother died and they were at his tomb), “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?”
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He is the resurrection!
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These Scriptures and the devotional here and at HRT were so good for my soul this morning. Thank you, Jesus! It’s been a rough week. Rough with my husband, defeating thoughts about my kids. Satan was really taking me down. I cried out to the Lord, and He heard me. The YouVersion verse of the day today: “I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand.” Psalms 40:1-2
That prayer, combined with the truth in these Scriptures that death has no hold over us. That Jesus conquered death and will give us new life and new bodies. It all ministers to my soul. This weekend I cried out to the Lord and told Him how much I desire to see my family be healed. To see my relationship with my husband be strengthened and restored, for my kids to come back to the faith. My greatest desire is for my whole family to be walking in the faith. I want nothing more. And I know it is what God wants too. We are fighting for the same thing. But God is all powerful, He has the ability to change hearts, to heal wounds, to redeem all things. I was so comforted by this truth. I am so grateful to serve a God who sees me and knows me and wants to walk with me through the fires.
Amen, Laura, the Lord desires all these things all the more… Though I can relate to feeling the pain and wait of the process… Just wanting to get to the end and enjoy the fruit of your labor of prayers/faith. Praying the Lord Almighty sustains you in your laboring and waiting for the fulfillment of His Word and promises to you specifically. Love you ❤️
Laura Dianne – I’m praying for you and all mothers who feel like somehow we have failed. Being a mother is the hardest job, one we get no training for! I often struggle with feelings of failure as a mom, the shoulds… and it is terrible and does not come from the Lord. Now when I start going there I try my best to catch myself and tell myself that I did the best I could out of love. I am learning to surrender my kids to the Lord, they are His! But it is hard.
I pray for you and your sweet family every day! May God grant you peace in the waiting, dear sister! ❤️
Thank you, Laura, for laying your pain out there for us to pray over! God bless and strengthen you, sister, for the trials set before you. You are an inspiration! ❤
Hi Sharon. I am praying now. I went through this with my husband just last month and thank you Jesus it was nothing. I’m praying it is the same for your husband! In Jesus’s name. Amen.
Good morning! I haven’t got to today’s readings yet, I’m with my hubby – asking prayer as he’s having a prostate biopsy this morning, to check some “suspicious” spots. Praying that it’s non-cancerous, but know God is in control, & His will be done.
Thank you in advance!
Hi Sharon. I am praying now. I went through this with my husband just last month and thank you Jesus it was nothing. I’m praying it is the same for your husband! In Jesus’s name. Amen.
Yes, agreeing in prayer that he will have a healthy report. ❤️
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Great news for you & your husband, and very encouraging – Thank you! ❤️
Praying for you and your husband today, Sharon.
Praying for great results and minimal pain and discomfort for Jeff! ❤️
Praying
Praying for your husband that he gets great news today with his biopsy and minimal pain.
Got here late this morning so I am just seeing this. I join in prayer for Jeff for a good (and accurate) report. Praying he has a smooth recovery and no infection, especially after such a recent scare! Hugs, sister! ❤
Praying for you Aleida
Prayers for your son. Power, truth , healing .
Lord we cling to You for all things freedom!
Thank You, Jesus that Your resurrection guarantees mine. May that reality be a reminder to hold loosely the things of this world.
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TERESA DONLEY – praying the Lord give you courage and strengthens you today.
Amen, agreeing in prayer for Teresa in response to her post yesterday. @Teresa – may the Lord give you strength, comfort, and hope to continue the path He has you on. May you trust Him even when things don’t feel good or make logical sense to you. I pray you hold tight to the truth of His Word over your feelings, ideas, or circumstances. He who has called you is Faithful… I pray you receive this today and know you are not alone, just as Rhonda shared with you yesterday. We are here for you and love you. Though we are not physically with you … Believing God can physically meet you where you are and comfort you. ❤️
Amen, Kelly!
Praise the Lord that Liam is home!
Oh ALEIDA, I am so sorry this is the season you are in..
Praying for Victor and your visit to be what Victor needs to know he is loved by you both, but that he also realises he is seriously loved by the One who can bring healing to every part of his body, mind and soul..
Aleida, praying, praying, praying. And praying for your mama heart to hold fast to God, knowing He is a good good Father, and that He WILL work all this for good, one day soon.
Sending you love and hugs from across the pond dear sister..
God be with you..❤️
Thank you my sweet sister Tina❤️❤️ Your words have blessed me. Please continue to pray for him and for us. That we both would say the words anointed by the Holy Spirit and exactly what Victor needs to hear.
Sisters, I covet your prayers for my son Victor. We will be seeing him this week in CA. He is practically homeless, living in someone’s motor home. No job and be sure of that, will be losing his medical insurance that he needs so very much right now. He is greatly suffering from depression and anxiety. He’s on meds but they don’t seem to help him. Plus he is still self medicating with weed and psychedelic mushrooms. He has been having suicidal ideations as well. I’ve been trying to find treatment for him but he doesn’t want to go back to rehab. Even an intensive outpatient program where he would attend 3 times a week, he is reluctant to do because they won’t allow him to smoke weed. He claims he needs it to sleep at night and to give him an appetite for food. He has lost A LOT of weight and also started to lose his hair from anxiety. He is a complete mess but not a lost cause for Christ. Please pray that we can help him and that this visit would be anointed by the Holy Spirit. I feel as if we were going into the lion’s den. He refuses to surrender to Christ. I pray that the Lord would rescue him. Thank you ladies❤️❤️
Praying
Aleida, prayers for deliverance over Victor. Lord break the grips of addiction and tear away the evil spirits who won’t relinquish their stronghold over him. Lord, only you are able. Give Aleida strength Lord, that only you can provide. A peace that passes all understanding. Hear her mother’s heart and cries, soothe the ache Lord. You love Victor even more than she does Lord, you ache for him too- may his heart of stone become ever so soft, may he meet you in the grimy pit and be lifted out by your love. We thank you Lord for loving us so much that you would never turn away from us, our hearts are all gratitude. In the deepest darkest moments in life, you never leave our sides, you walk them with us, we cannot express the thankfulness in that- only you are worthy of praise and only you can heal hearts like Victors- to you be all glory, power and praise! In your son’s precious name, we ask these things fervently… Amen.
I’m praying now Aleida. My God get the glory through all of this. And may you be strong in your heart.
May the Lord soften Victor’s heart and give you wisdom.
Praying hard for Victor and you!
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Praying for peace for you and for your son. We have faith that God will provide. But I pray for peace in the waiting for you.
Praying for the Holy Spirit to penetrate his heart of stone and for God’s peace for you and your husband.
Aleida-praying right now for Victor. Lord, your word promises us that you, who started a good work in Victor’s life, will be faithful to complete it. We are asking you to cover Victor with your protection. Heal his mind and body, Lord! Complete the work and make him whole! Bless the visit he will soon have with his mom and dad. Open up new channels of communication and pave a way for him to get the help he needs. In the name of your son, Jesus, Amen.
Holding you up for wisdom and mercy for your son. Heaven come down for you
ALEIDA – As a fellow mother, I cannot even imagine how your heart is breaking. Praying over you and Victor. Praying that he has an encounter with Christ and that this is his testimony. That he then uses his testimony to reach others dealing with these same issues. Amen.
Agreeing with all of our Sisters in prayer, Dear Aleida…May God Bless you and Keep you… make His Face Shine upon you(and Victor) and give you His precious “Peace that Passes ALL Understanding”. Lifting you both to Jesus now!
Praying for you all Alesia! I pray Victor’s heart softens to hear you and he would be willing to get help to address his mental health concerns.
Oh Aleida, I was just thinking about you this weekend and wondering how Victor was doing. Praying, praying HARD today that you and your husband will feel God’s presence as you meet with him. That God will soften his heart to hear your suggestions for getting help and have a willing heart to turn from the path he is traveling and walk toward a God who forgives, who loves, and who can break all addiction and heal all our afflictions. I pray for your heart, that you will not be discouraged, that you will hold onto the hem of Jesus as you enter this lion’s den and fight for your child. I was so discouraged and defeated this weekend thinking about my own children and the Enemy just planted in me the thought that I had failed as a mother. It really took me down for awhile. But God met me and pulled me back up and reminded me that He is always waiting for our children, always calling them, and loves them more than we do. So I pray protection over your own heart, that you will not think those words of defeat, that you will not believe any lie that Satan wants to tell you. We love our kids so much and when they turn away and make wrong choices, we continue to pray for them and trust God with their lives. Sending love and fervent prayers your way today, Aleida.
Aleida I am echoing the prayers of others here. Praying for you and your family. Victor’s story reminds me of a friend whose son different from addiction for many years. She, like you, was devastated – not knowing where her son was at times, dealing with all the unknowns. She is a prayer warrior and never stopped interceding for her son. Shortly before her son was saved, she was told by her pastor to pray for her son as if he was already healed. She did and a year later he was healed. He now serves every week at church, is on the prayer ministry, and even preaches from time to time. His testimony is incredible and I know it speaks to so many people! I’m praying the same for Victor! In Jesus’s name! Amen
Praying for your son in Jesus name ❤️
Praying for Victor and for you every day! Sadly some people have to get to the “rock bottom” and try everything else first before they will surrender to the Lord. May our precious Lord wash over Victor and protect him as He works in his heart. May God guard your “mama heart”. ❤️
Praying for your son!
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Praying for a breakthrough for Victor and peace and comfort for you!! Remember Daniel walked out of the lions den and changed lives- I’m praying this over your family now!!
Aleida, I pray in agreement with all the Shes for Victor’s deliverance, healing, and surrender to Christ. I will keep him in my prayers.
Have prayed for your son and your family. Jesus, make the way.
Praying for you Aleida and for Victor.
Praying for all of you, as you walk this difficult path. May you feel the Lord’s strength and peace. He holds you all in His hands
“He is not a lost cause for Christ.” Aleida, that is so true! God loves Victor more than you, if you can imagine that. Do all you can, love him & pray for Him, then release Him into the hands of our loving God, and He will do His work. ..praying for you all! ❤️
Aleida, adding my amen to these beautiful prayers of our sisters and also praying for God to provide financial help for the physical and mental health needs involved. I live Allison’s reminder about the lion’s den!Hang on to the Truth you know and the beautiful reminders in our sister’s prayers. You are lived here and never far from our thoughts! ❤ May God strengthen you and your husband for this
visit!
Praying ❤️
Adding my prayers to the others. I know that sleep meds are routinely used for inpatient psychiatric patients. IDK if your son knows this and if it would help him to know it..sleepmedic