When You Love a Prodigal

It was June 2 several years ago. Eighteen of us made a large circle in our Florida room. We each shared why we had come—a brief overview of our journey with a prodigal. Some were new-to-me people so new-to-me stories. Others were reminders of long waits to see changes, of despair and hope intertwined. What did we have in common? We each loved a prodigal. Some were just taking their first shaky ste...

One of the best things that happened to our son was to be put on probation for two years for a minor incident. The consequences were much greater than the offense. But it was an answer to prayer that we could never have anticipated. We had prayed that he would receive some real-life accountability for some of his poor choices in his late teens. That was one of many answers to prayers prayed on a J...

The chaos was almost palpable. He and his friends barged through the front door. The kitchen was the first stop, then they scaled the stairs to his room in a few leaps. In the early years it was just boy noise and roughhousing. But as years went on, it escalated. We wanted him and his friends to feel welcome in our home, but their roughhousing turned violent—there’s still a hole in the wall and th...

The night our prodigal came to Christ, began three sleepless nights for me—engaged in fierce battle with the powers and principalities of the prince of the air—the minions of the devil himself.  My understanding was that the evil one had always assumed this boy was his. His birth heritage and early life put him undeniably in Satan’s domain. So when prayers were answered and he said “yes” to Jesus,...

Today we continue surveying the amazing gift God has given us for our prodigal wilderness journey: His very own Holy Spirit.   Last week we considered how He is an Advocate—He’s on our side and stands with us;  and a Comforter—who is always with us to comfort and console.   This week we look at two more roles of the Spirit: Encourager and Truth. You will be blessed by how the Holy Spirit cares for...

Today we begin the most important series of all our times together. We talk about the secret for surviving and thriving in your wilderness journey. But sure to jot down ideas you can try and apply. No matter what human influence, pressure or leverage we think we may have to bring about change within the prodigals we love, God always reminds us that real change comes through the action of His own S...

Over the past year and a half, we have talked about many ways to help our prodigals, and many ways to help ourselves walk through this wilderness journey. And all of those are legit and helpful. But the bottom line is, God is the one who knows what they need and we need—and He can do it. Prayer is our means to connect with God. But most of us need some help knowing how to keep praying.   Resources...

When Pam was with us two months ago, she was kind—and so vulnerable—to tell us her long journey with her son Jake’s addiction, his getting clean and making good plans for his life, and then one slip while helping an overdosed friend. That one slip took his life. If you haven’t listened to her story, check out Episode 49 of When You Love a Prodigal.\ Today Pam will update us on her journey of grief...

You may know the story of Hosea. God asked him to be a living symbol of His faithfulness to unfaithful Israel. So Hosea married a prostitute, loved her, gave her children—and pursued her when she returned to her former life. God did the same to Israel—pursued her time and again when she turned from Him as she chose a valley of trouble instead of the goodness of the one who loved her. Through Hosea...

Most of us are bruised people who desperately need to be reminded, however subtly, that hope is real, grace is often present, goodness counts, love is possible and our lives matter. I believe this is more than mere artistic preference: the human race depends upon it. And people who love a prodigal depend on it.   Here are 10 reasons you can keep hoping.     Resources:    When the News Is Bad…Here’...

The numbers were adding up. The cars he had gone through numbered 17. The traffic tickets for one year were about 5. I don’t even know how many of the gifts we had given him were gone—pawned. Nor how many times he said “You’re not my real mother.” And the stories he expected me to believe seemed endless. On and on.   And as the numbers climbed, my hope dipped and disappeared.   Resources:    Read:...

When you love a prodigal, you live with fear. One mom named some of the fears she had for her daughter. She could: Be kidnapped and held against her will; Be abducted and sold into sex trafficking; Disappear and never be seen or heard from again; Move away and sever ties with us forever; Suffer irreversible brain damage from drug use; Die from a drug overdose; Die from alcohol poisoning; Give up a...

Our Josh was invited to a week in California with a “surf pastor.” He loved surfing, and he loved the fun and spiritually challenging week. He came home wanting to walk with God, to change his life. And he did. I held my breath. Would it last? It did. For about a month. But old friends and old choices and the lure of addictions won again. My hope crumbled. Once again, the waiting began.   Resource...

Do you need a counselor? Someone to listen to your fears and frustrations, to understand what it feels like to struggle with a child, to not know what to do, to feel like a failure. Someone who can give wise, practical, workable input. To give you hope. Then I’m glad you’re here. Today I am talking with June Hunt, founder and CSO (Chief Servant Officer) of HOPE FOR THE HEART. She is a counselor, t...

Recently a prodigal lover posted a prayer request: “I think my son will be the death of me.” That’s what it’s like sometimes, isn’t it? The fear, the uncertainty, the drugs, the stealing, time in prison, the pregnancy, car accidents, angry words, even the silence when they leave. Resources:  Watch a video of Transformational Treasures from a Prodigal Wilderness https://bit.ly/3gUwucV Join the Pray...

Today, celebrating 50 episodes of When You Love a Prodigal, Josh—the prodigal in Judy’s story—tells his own story. In an honest, sometimes teary, tender and hopeful conversation, Josh and Judy walk through his life—from the addictions of his birth mother, being thrust into the Douglass family as a foster and later adopted son, lots of wrong friends and wrong choices . . . . Listen in to hear the r...

“I’m just a mom…who’s become a warrior.” Growing up with family addictions, Pam Lanhart was determined to protect her children from that devastation. But it came anyway.  Her long journey and battle for her son’s freedom has benefited many families through her book Praying Our Loved One Home, and a ministry: Thrive: Family Recovery Resources. If you love an addict, don’t miss this conversation.  ...

It was a long journey. My friends encouraged and prayed for me, but they had families of their own. My co-workers listened to my stories, but didn’t really identify. My husband was so helpful and supportive, but he was busy and gone often. The prodigal wilderness was often lonely. Alone. Overwhelmed. Stretched. Who would stick with me? Who could I trust? Resources: Join the Prayer for Prodigals co...

I learned a little about sheep during my farmer son’s brief stint raising sheep. Sheep had some positives—they reduced the need to mow the pasture. And the variety they were raising provided much-desired wool. But sheep required a lot of care. And they attracted predators. But oh, the baby lambs. In my favorite picture of our son, he is tenderly holding a newborn lamb. Shepherds—sheep herders—have...

A great way to begin the new year: I just celebrated my spiritual birthday. December 31 marked 62 years since I received God’s amazing gift of salvation, reconciliation and eternal life. What an adventure it has been! And many challenges. Because I don’t seem to be able to remember the lessons God has taught me over the years, I turn them into slogans I can remember. Here are my top ten. Resources...

When you love a prodigal, you probably don’t get many Christmas gifts from them. But as Jesus comes at Advent, he brings many valuable gifts for you. There are dozens, but you will discover 20 special gifts to give you joy, peace and strength for the holidays. Resources:  Join the Prayer for Prodigals community here:  https://bit.ly/3uyhSWQ Sign up for Judy’s monthly newsletter here: https://bit.l...

Lord, please, for Christmas could my child come home?  Would you set him free from his addictions?  Cause her to quit cutting herself?  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 desir...

Giving gifts, especially the right kinds of gifts, is a great way to win the hearts of your children and grandchildren and nurture the connections to make them last. You won’t always find me giving the latest toy or must-have item. I do want my kids and grands to enjoy the gifts they receive from me but I also want them to have real value for their lives. Listen now and jot down ideas that spark y...

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 from Dena some very practical help f...

I have been on a long, slow journey to a grateful heart. Our son put that journey in overdrive. In the long 15 years of wilderness with him, there were so many hard times, days and nights, scary choices, dangerous activities that I had many opportunities to practice giving thanks to our God. Here we are at Thanksgiving. Is it possible to be truly grateful on this day set aside to give thanks? And...