When You Love a Prodigal

Is your loved prodigal addicted? Drugs? Alcohol? Gambling? Our guest today offers a different approach for healing. Christina Dent, founder of End It for Good, advocates for approaches that prioritize life and the opportunity to thrive. She offers help and hope for families pursuing freedom and healing. Christina’s Resources : Website: https://enditforgood.com/ Christina’s Ted Talk: https://www.te...

Loving a Prodigal can be long, exhausting and heartbreaking. Perhaps you have been there. I’ve been there. Dena Yohe has been there. And she has written a 31-day devotional book just for people like us. You will love listening in on our conversation about surprises you didn’t want, waiting well, and what if, even if. Dena’s Resources : Website: https://hopeforhurtingparents.com/ Contact us: hope@H...

New on the When You Love a Prodigal podcast I am thrilled to be a grandmother—of 10 fabulous grands. I have a great desire to be a positive contributor to their growth, wisdom, and lives. I especially desire to help them not become prodigals, or if they do, to encourage them to choose to step away from that path. Legacy Coalition is a great partner in these efforts. Legacy Coalition believes that...

Rebroadcast of Episode 125: As you wrap up your Christmas shopping and wrapping, perhaps you would want to think of some gifts for Jesus. After all, it is His birthday we are celebrating. I like to consider what Jesus might like from me as a birthday gift. I’ve thought of several things—I know He would appreciate these gifts from you as well. Judy’s Resources: Read What Can I Give Him?: judydougla...

Rebroadcast of Episode Forty-Two: If you love a prodigal, you probably have a horror story to tell of a holiday with that loved wanderer. I certainly do, and so does Dena Yohe, co-founder of Hope for Hurting Parents, and parent of Renee, the subject of the famous To Write Love on Her Arms. We had a fun, tearful and helpful conversation for today’s episode. Join us as we tell our stories and get fr...

It’s not often I interview someone who comes from Freeport, Texas, which was like a summer home for me in high school. As Justin and I talked we knew many of the same places. And I loved his redemptive story. He grew up in the church, chose some wrong friends, rescued by a discerning judge, a long stint in the Navy—and a guitar. You will love his Texas accent, his story, and a hopeful future. Just...

On June 2, about 25 years ago, our prodigal, Josh, met Jesus. He was living at House of Hope, a nearby residential home for troubled teens. His house dad, Mike, loved him, prayed for him, sought to guide him into better life choices, and on June 2, 1997, he introduced our son to Jesus. That evening Mike baptized him in the nearby lake. Josh’s life changed then, and when he came home months later....

Pamela Henkelman is a certified Empty Nest Coach, speaker, writer, and host of the Midlife Momma Podcast. With her bright smile and enthusiastic personality, she is passionate about encouraging women, particularly the often-forgotten group of moms with adult children. She has much wisdom for those whose adult children have cut off connection with them. I loved this quote on Pamela’s Instagram: “Ta...

This might be the most helpful episode we’ve done on this podcast. Loving a prodigal can be like a roller coaster—the ups and downs, the unexpected turns. The dashed hopes. In our last episode we looked at our persistent enemy—a roaring lion we know as Satan. This week we will look at what an opportunist he is, and ways we can resist him. Judy’s Resources: Read The Ways of the Enemy: Opportunist:...

When you love a prodigal, you get used to the lion stalking. Sometimes it seems that, no matter what you do to rescue your prodigal, to win her heart, to capture his mind, nothing works. Even when your prodigal is seeking to change patterns, to make better choices, to turn things around, they can’t catch a break. Someone is opposing them. His name is Satan. Judy’s Resources: Read Can You See the L...

One of the hardest parts of living with and loving a prodigal is the waiting, isn’t it. I have said many times: I thought it was time! Isn’t it time, Lord? Are we doing this again? How long, Lord? We hate the uncertainty, fear the possibilities. And grow wearing in the waiting…. Judy’s Resources: Read Fragile Hope: https://bit.ly/41RMwwt Read Waiting with Hope: https://bit.ly/3VlMolg Join the Pray...

Jill Baughan radiates joy! In my several conversations with her, joy flows from her. I can't help but smile when I'm with her. But more than that, she is able to share, even slosh, that joy with you and me. Joy even for hard days with a prodigal. Jill’s Resources: BIG NEWS! Hey friends, my book is available for PRE-ORDER on Amazon! The release date is April 1, 2025. (Yes! April Fools' Day, which I...

In my conversations with those who love a prodigal, or with someone going through hard times, with anyone in an uncertain time, I usually end up at the same place, with four words that can make a real difference, even bring transformation in a prodigal, and in our own lives. These words are filled with encouragement and hope. When I remember them and choose to believe what God says to me about the...

Casey has much to offer as she shares her journey to become a counselor and her passion to encourage healthy families. She talks about the pain experienced by parents and by the children. And the conversations that can lead to healing. Casey Lewis is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist living in Chattanooga, TN. She worked with Cru for three years out of college before spending five years at...

The prophet Isaiah repeatedly mocks them for carving idols to worship out of half a log, and cooking dinner with the other half. How could anyone think that “god” could save them? We read in 1 Samuel that rebellion is like the sin of witchcraft, and arrogance like the evil of idolatry (1 Samuel 15:23). Wow! I need to examine my rebellious tendencies. God understands our struggles, but He gives us...

Today we are talking about liberation. As we consider the strongholds in the lives of our loved ones—and perhaps ourselves—be sure to note the verses that will give you hope. Judy’s Resources: Read Breaking Life Bondages: https://bit.ly/3C79gP7 Join the Prayer for Prodigals community here: https://bit.ly/3uyhSWQ Sign up for Judy’s monthly newsletter here: https://bit.ly/39TBlYt Purchase a copy of...

A new year lifts us up, shaking off the remnants of last year’s mistakes, opening a panorama of a better future. We love to leave the hurts and failures of yesterday, believing that tomorrow is filled with sunshine and promise. Except, when you love a prodigal. Too often fears win out. You hope, but you dare not “get your hopes up.” You dream, hoping it doesn’t once again become a nightmare. You b...

Lord, please, for Christmas could my child come home? Would you set him free from his addictions? May they see the emptiness and destructiveness of their choices. And, Lord, may we have peace in our family for Christmas. When you love a prodigal, your heart yearnings for your loved one seem to intensify at Christmas time. But we can ask for those heart’s desires—from God and from that prodigal. Ju...

If you have listened to many of my podcasts, then you know I encourage all of us to give thanks in everything. I got to practice what I preach in real life last week. And though this story is not about a prodigal, it’s certainly a practice to live out before a prodigal or someone you hope never becomes a prodigal. Judy’s Resources: Read Help for the Hard--no, Impossible--Times: https://bit.ly/3Bpv...

Judy Nelson Lewis and I go way back. She's been a magazine editor, writer, and now a spiritual director. We had a great conversation about advent, waiting, and how that can help us through our prodigal journey. It's a gift to you. Judy Nelson Lewis’ Resources: Website: https://www.judynelsonlewis.com Buy Judy's new book, Exhale : https://a.co/d/3DWRv2G Enter for a chance to win Judy’s new book, Ex...

In Philippians 4:6 the instructions are more specific: Pray about everything, with thanksgiving. Pray, of course. Give thanks? Much harder. But that is exactly what we are told to do, even in scary, out-of-control circumstances. Give thanks. It has been one of the most important, helpful, even life-changing truths I have learned. Judy’s Resources: Read Give Thanks:Pray with Thanksgiving - https://...

Our natural response in times of uncertainty and in life with a prodigal and the fears and frustrations we encounter, is to name everything that is wrong, to complain about all we don’t like. And our God receives our honest laments. But He also encourages us to give thanks. In everything. Seriously? How do we do that? Judy’s Resources: Read Give Thanks: In Everything. - https://bit.ly/41cxTUL Join...

I was reading Barbara Rainey’s blog recently and saw a post Relating to Your Adult Children. For most of the years God has had me in a loving a prodigal ministry, we have focused mostly on teens and young adults. But in recent years I hear more and more stories from parents whose adult children have separated from them—some a little, many because of rejecting their faith, and many who have complet...

As I have listened to the stories of friends’ prodigals and prayed for my son and many others, God took me on a journey back into the wilderness. Gratefully I was reminded over and over of the transforming truths that I have learned on that path. And I am still learning. These truths are gifts! Let me remind us all of some of the gifts we receive on a prodigal journey. Judy’s Resources: Read God's...

Today, October 29, 2024, marks two years since my wonderful husband, Steve, was called home to Heaven. He was a wise, loving man, and had much to offer everyone he encountered. Today’s podcast is a gift from Steve, telling of his walk with God and his discovery of true peace. I believe you will be blessed by it. Judy’s Resources: Read How to Live and Love Like Jesus by Steve Douglass: https://bit....