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When You Love a Prodigal: 90 Days of Grace for the Wilderness
Loving a prodigal is a long and desperate journey, filled with fear, worry, anger, self-
recrimination. You wait for the phone call--will it be from jail or the hospital? You plead with your loved one. You search for help. You feel the shame. You cry out to God, "How long, Lord?"
Author Judy Douglass knows these lovers of prodigals well. She is one herself and has created a large and growing community with others. When You Love a Prodigal is a collection of 90 essays--90 days of perspective on what God offers to you as you love your prodigal. At the end of each brief essay, response questions will help you process how God intends to use the wilderness journey to mold your spiritual life. You can work through it day by day, or you can read it straight through.
Judy has traveled this road with her own prodigal--reading, learning, praying, and seeking God. Over and over he continued to give her wisdom, he sustained her, he covered her with grace, and he filled her with hope. May you, too, be strengthened and filled with hope as together you discover how God will take you through your own valley.
recrimination. You wait for the phone call--will it be from jail or the hospital? You plead with your loved one. You search for help. You feel the shame. You cry out to God, "How long, Lord?"
Author Judy Douglass knows these lovers of prodigals well. She is one herself and has created a large and growing community with others. When You Love a Prodigal is a collection of 90 essays--90 days of perspective on what God offers to you as you love your prodigal. At the end of each brief essay, response questions will help you process how God intends to use the wilderness journey to mold your spiritual life. You can work through it day by day, or you can read it straight through.
Judy has traveled this road with her own prodigal--reading, learning, praying, and seeking God. Over and over he continued to give her wisdom, he sustained her, he covered her with grace, and he filled her with hope. May you, too, be strengthened and filled with hope as together you discover how God will take you through your own valley.
232 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 17, 2019
85 people are currently reading
1076 people want to read
About the author
Judy Douglass
8 books56 followersA few random realities:
I love Jesus, my family, Texas, words, books, horses, Mexican food–and quite a few other things
I am married to a wonderful man and have three delightful children and nine superb grandchildren. My friends so fill my cup that I am drinking from the saucer.
I am a writer, speaker, missionary. Most of all I am an encourager–urging everyone I encounter to know God and to entrust their lives to him for all He wants them to be and all He has prepared for them to do. I get to go all over the world to do this loving and encouraging–what an incredible “job.”
I’ve written a few books, edited a couple of magazines, helped found Synergy Women’s Network and served on the Synergy Board and the Redbud Writers Guild Board. My earliest books are on Goodreads under Judy Downs Douglass.
I am amazingly blessed, totally inadequate, woefully unworthy and eternally grateful for the grace and mercy of God.
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
September 20, 2019
I know all too well what it’s like to love a prodigal, and reading—and praying through—this book encouraged me more than I thought it would. I’ve read many devotionals, but When You Love a Prodigal seems especially anointed, as though God has provided it for those who love prodigals right now—when we can feel overwhelmed by the darkness around us. It’s a heavy world, but Douglass reminds us there is nothing heavy that God won’t easily take for us. It’s not a book of how to make things change, unless you count how to allow yourself to change, which is what has been such a beautiful thing in my own life. After going through the sorrows of having a prodigal, I always tell people that that time was as much about me as it was about him. I learned how to pray, I learned how to not fear, I learned how to trust. Every page of this book swings back to these things, back to God, and like a beautiful morning when you can see the mist rising off the fields, it is embedded with a real and enduring hope for the future.
December 9, 2019
I imagine the father of the prodigal son in the Bible (Luke 15:11-32) every day was praying and longing with all his heart for that prodigal to change his ways and come home. I can imagine because I love a prodigal of my own. When You Love a Prodigal: 90 Days of Grace for the Wilderness by Judy Douglass was a book written in process over time. She shares her heart and how God worked in their lives in this book.
When You Love a Prodigal has 90 individual reflections written by a woman who traveled through life with a prodigal. In the beginning, she defines "prodigal" so we are all on the same page. She has divided the book in to sections: love, grace, time, rest, trust, prayer, promise, hope, spirit, and gift. Each reading in each section relates to that topic. In the end of the book, her son writes a brief note and she writes a brief note in closing.
Douglass shares her heart in When You Love a Prodigal as a mom praying for a son who lived a life for his own pleasure. She shares from her heart through each of the readings sharing both her experiences and the Scriptures that spoke to her through those experiences. At the end of each reading there are questions to ask yourself and reflect on. This would be a good book to use with a daily journal. For me, putting my thoughts on paper and giving them to God is often helpful in the healing of my heart, no matter which way the prodigal ultimately goes in the end. In my case, there is no happy ending yet, just continued prayers and hopes and thoughts given to God. I like how Douglass shares honestly and openly. I like how she continues to turn her thoughts and prayers back to God, reminding me to do the same. I do find this book to be both encouraging and hopeful, regardless of who you are in relationship to the prodigal and no matter what your prodigal has done. This book can speak to your heart. I liked the format as it helped me to take things in bite-sized chunks and reflect and pray better.
I received When You Love A Prodigal by Judy Douglass from Bethany House. All opinions are my own.
When You Love a Prodigal has 90 individual reflections written by a woman who traveled through life with a prodigal. In the beginning, she defines "prodigal" so we are all on the same page. She has divided the book in to sections: love, grace, time, rest, trust, prayer, promise, hope, spirit, and gift. Each reading in each section relates to that topic. In the end of the book, her son writes a brief note and she writes a brief note in closing.
Douglass shares her heart in When You Love a Prodigal as a mom praying for a son who lived a life for his own pleasure. She shares from her heart through each of the readings sharing both her experiences and the Scriptures that spoke to her through those experiences. At the end of each reading there are questions to ask yourself and reflect on. This would be a good book to use with a daily journal. For me, putting my thoughts on paper and giving them to God is often helpful in the healing of my heart, no matter which way the prodigal ultimately goes in the end. In my case, there is no happy ending yet, just continued prayers and hopes and thoughts given to God. I like how Douglass shares honestly and openly. I like how she continues to turn her thoughts and prayers back to God, reminding me to do the same. I do find this book to be both encouraging and hopeful, regardless of who you are in relationship to the prodigal and no matter what your prodigal has done. This book can speak to your heart. I liked the format as it helped me to take things in bite-sized chunks and reflect and pray better.
I received When You Love A Prodigal by Judy Douglass from Bethany House. All opinions are my own.
June 2, 2020
A precious friend gave me this book and have been reading through it a day at a time. It renews me, refreshes me, encourages me, and most of all makes me grateful for the loving and forgiving Father who waits on the porch looking for me to return home to Him and teaches me to be a better parent, although I am a very flawed parent. I am humbled and encouraged by Judy's honesty and words of wisdom that encouraged me. As long as I have breath in my body, I will never stop praying, persistant prayer like the Persistant Widow in Luke 18:1-8 or the prayers of Hannah (I Samuel 1:9-19). Ask, seek, knock and keep on asking, seeking, and knocking!
October 2, 2019
Parents of prodigals walk a hard road. When your child is home, their choices drive you crazy; when they’re out of sight, they’re never out of mind, because the phone could ring with bad news at any moment.
Judy Douglass has walked this same path while also living the fishbowl life of a ministry wife with Cru Global. As she waited in the wilderness of her son Josh’s rebellious years, she relied on God’s love for her boy to carry her over the roughest parts of the journey. When You Love a Prodigal: 90 Days of Grace for the Wilderness is the fruit of hours on her knees in prayer and years spent close to words of Truth, clinging to the promises of God for her wayward son.
Douglass refers to the prodigal wilderness journey as “one of the most transforming aspects of [her] life,” and her collection of ninety devotionals reads like a coming alongside, like an arm around the shoulders and a level gaze that says, “Yes, I know. I know,” to those who still wait in hope. Dipping her pen in the well of God’s sovereignty, she shares hope from prophetic words:
My purpose will be established, and I will accomplish all my good pleasure.
(Isaiah 46:10 NASB)
Then, sharing the words of the psalmist, she offers hope for redemption and a life beyond destructive patterns, a renewal ushered in by the God who “redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion.” (Psalm 103:4)
Finding the Way to a Prodigal Love
Prodigal children do not take God by surprise, and our own imperfect responses are not outside God’s ability to forgive and to fold into the process of redemption. And as parents receive forgiveness for their own repeated sins, grace can overflow to the child who has wronged them, betrayed them, offended them, and wounded them repeatedly.
Studying the names of God enabled Judy to call upon him in very specific ways to meet the need of the moment. When she felt unseen and unheard because answers did not come, she called out to El Roi, the God who sees. When her prodigal was far from home and likely in trouble, she held onto the tender shepherding heart of Jehovah Rohi. Jehovah Shalom was her peace throughout more than a dozen years of waiting and trusting that God would rescue her son from himself.
The word prodigal came into use meaning”extravagant, lavish, abundant, and bountiful.” It has fallen on hard times in our day meaning “a person who is extravagantly wasteful, lavishly reckless, abundantly profligate.” The loving parent of a prodigal can weave a new, whole garment from these rags of terminology, and become, by grace, “one who extravagantly and lavishly, with perseverance, loves a prodigal.”
Thanks be to God for his prodigal love.
Many thanks to Bethany House for providing a copy of this book to facilitate my review, which, of course, is offered freely and with honesty.
Judy Douglass has walked this same path while also living the fishbowl life of a ministry wife with Cru Global. As she waited in the wilderness of her son Josh’s rebellious years, she relied on God’s love for her boy to carry her over the roughest parts of the journey. When You Love a Prodigal: 90 Days of Grace for the Wilderness is the fruit of hours on her knees in prayer and years spent close to words of Truth, clinging to the promises of God for her wayward son.
Douglass refers to the prodigal wilderness journey as “one of the most transforming aspects of [her] life,” and her collection of ninety devotionals reads like a coming alongside, like an arm around the shoulders and a level gaze that says, “Yes, I know. I know,” to those who still wait in hope. Dipping her pen in the well of God’s sovereignty, she shares hope from prophetic words:
My purpose will be established, and I will accomplish all my good pleasure.
(Isaiah 46:10 NASB)
Then, sharing the words of the psalmist, she offers hope for redemption and a life beyond destructive patterns, a renewal ushered in by the God who “redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion.” (Psalm 103:4)
Finding the Way to a Prodigal Love
Prodigal children do not take God by surprise, and our own imperfect responses are not outside God’s ability to forgive and to fold into the process of redemption. And as parents receive forgiveness for their own repeated sins, grace can overflow to the child who has wronged them, betrayed them, offended them, and wounded them repeatedly.
Studying the names of God enabled Judy to call upon him in very specific ways to meet the need of the moment. When she felt unseen and unheard because answers did not come, she called out to El Roi, the God who sees. When her prodigal was far from home and likely in trouble, she held onto the tender shepherding heart of Jehovah Rohi. Jehovah Shalom was her peace throughout more than a dozen years of waiting and trusting that God would rescue her son from himself.
The word prodigal came into use meaning”extravagant, lavish, abundant, and bountiful.” It has fallen on hard times in our day meaning “a person who is extravagantly wasteful, lavishly reckless, abundantly profligate.” The loving parent of a prodigal can weave a new, whole garment from these rags of terminology, and become, by grace, “one who extravagantly and lavishly, with perseverance, loves a prodigal.”
Thanks be to God for his prodigal love.
Many thanks to Bethany House for providing a copy of this book to facilitate my review, which, of course, is offered freely and with honesty.
March 1, 2021
In the past few months, I’ve used Judy Douglass’ book, “When you Love a Prodigal 90 days of grace for the wilderness” as my morning devotional. The ironic thing is, I don’t have a prodigal in the traditional sense. Still, the book has been a five-star blessing to me.
I might not be living with the sleepless nights loving a prodigal child produces, although I once did. Rather I’ve been battling my way through a chronic health issue and a boatload of personal disappointment. As I read this powerfully spiritual book each morning, it ministered to me concerning trust, endurance, and hope, while dealing with my own situations.
There is a real anointing on this devotional, as the depth of the revelation and practical application of Scripture is tremendously uplifting. I do hope Judy Douglass considers writing another devotional gleaning from all the information contained in these pages, but turned towards those who live with any type of chronic daily problem. This dear lady sure relates to sleepless nights and days filled with anxiety and worry over a situation one is unable to control or remedy.
Besides, in countless ways, we are all prodigals finding our way with God’s grace on our daily journey. Douglass agrees in her insightful book. “We recognize we are also prodigals. When we plead for our prodigals, we do so in humility, realizing we need rescuing as well.” Pg. 222
It’s my belief, we frequently require “rescuing” from ourselves, our pride, our petty demands, our brokenness, our compulsive insistence on having things our way. I know this only too well, since I was the original definition of a true prodigal daughter. As a young woman, I even refused to see my own mother for years, until I became a believer and God supernaturally healed our relationship. Still, that healing was quite gradual, and I believe it was a result of my mother’s unceasing prayer and attitude of forgiveness.
Judy Douglass never stopped praying for her son, Josh, and my mother never stopped praying for me. So, if you love a prodigal this book will encourage you to keep praying and never give up. If you are honest enough to admit you are a prodigal in need of daily grace as well, this book will also touch your soul in a special way.
I cried when I read Josh’s words at the end of the book, “If you love someone like me, remember that God is in control. He works it all in His plan.” Pg. 227
I am sure it wasn’t an accident, but divine intervention, that I won the book through a Goodreads giveaway. God knew how much I needed to read it during this challenging season!
I might not be living with the sleepless nights loving a prodigal child produces, although I once did. Rather I’ve been battling my way through a chronic health issue and a boatload of personal disappointment. As I read this powerfully spiritual book each morning, it ministered to me concerning trust, endurance, and hope, while dealing with my own situations.
There is a real anointing on this devotional, as the depth of the revelation and practical application of Scripture is tremendously uplifting. I do hope Judy Douglass considers writing another devotional gleaning from all the information contained in these pages, but turned towards those who live with any type of chronic daily problem. This dear lady sure relates to sleepless nights and days filled with anxiety and worry over a situation one is unable to control or remedy.
Besides, in countless ways, we are all prodigals finding our way with God’s grace on our daily journey. Douglass agrees in her insightful book. “We recognize we are also prodigals. When we plead for our prodigals, we do so in humility, realizing we need rescuing as well.” Pg. 222
It’s my belief, we frequently require “rescuing” from ourselves, our pride, our petty demands, our brokenness, our compulsive insistence on having things our way. I know this only too well, since I was the original definition of a true prodigal daughter. As a young woman, I even refused to see my own mother for years, until I became a believer and God supernaturally healed our relationship. Still, that healing was quite gradual, and I believe it was a result of my mother’s unceasing prayer and attitude of forgiveness.
Judy Douglass never stopped praying for her son, Josh, and my mother never stopped praying for me. So, if you love a prodigal this book will encourage you to keep praying and never give up. If you are honest enough to admit you are a prodigal in need of daily grace as well, this book will also touch your soul in a special way.
I cried when I read Josh’s words at the end of the book, “If you love someone like me, remember that God is in control. He works it all in His plan.” Pg. 227
I am sure it wasn’t an accident, but divine intervention, that I won the book through a Goodreads giveaway. God knew how much I needed to read it during this challenging season!
September 20, 2019
Figuring out how to love and walk with an adult child who makes destructive decisions is one of the most challenging and heartbreaking experiences for a parent. Based on her personal experiences, Douglas helps others to navigate these painful seasons. By asking pertinent questions (e.g., What does it look like to be patient?) and directing us to God's promises, Judy offers hope and wisdom. This is a 90 day study that could easily be done with others.
May 12, 2022
This book had a lot of great insight. I wish it had just been formatted as a book, and not broken down into 90 days of readings. That format made for repetitiveness and some days being too much info and some days being scarce. Overall though, a great resource with support, encouragement, and tools for growth.
November 2, 2024
Judy is such a wise and gracious woman. The vulnerable way in which she calls the parents of prodigals to love their children well while calling upon our Heavenly Father is inspiring. Knowing that a woman of such deep character and spiritual maturity has traveled the same path that many of us Christian parents have traveled is comforting.
September 19, 2019
An informative text covering a comprehensive range of topics related to loving a Prodigal. The text is broken down into brief, 90-day, excerpts which allow for processing of concepts and daily boosts of encouragement. Judy is transparent about her journey and quick to emphasize both grace and personal transformation.
November 27, 2019
4.5 out of 5
Note: I received a copy of When You Love a Prodigal from Bethany House Publishers for free in return for my honest opinion.
I do not have a prodigal in life. There is no one who is addicted to something that has pulled them away from me and maybe God. That being said...I think that Judy Douglass' When You Love a Prodigal is an excellent book for anyone who is seeking encouragement in general with or without a prodigal in their lives.
Judy Douglass provides a really personal glimpse into her own life and her own prodigal, her adopted son, and how she turned to God to find love, grace, time, rest, trust, prayer, promise, hope, spirit, and gifts from God. She offers us personal prayers and words of wisdom in addition to numerous Bible quotes and Scriptural references to help us on our own journeys.
I really like how the book is set up to be read over the course of 90 days which allows us to focus upon ten different topics that can aid us and our prodigals in their lives. I made lots of notes while reading When You Love a Prodigal so that I could go back and re-read and and look up Bible quotes to reflect upon again and again.
I recommend When You Love a Prodigal to those who enjoy Christian non-fiction, those with a prodigal family member or friend, or those seeking to form a closer relationship with God.
Note: I received a copy of When You Love a Prodigal from Bethany House Publishers for free in return for my honest opinion.
I do not have a prodigal in life. There is no one who is addicted to something that has pulled them away from me and maybe God. That being said...I think that Judy Douglass' When You Love a Prodigal is an excellent book for anyone who is seeking encouragement in general with or without a prodigal in their lives.
Judy Douglass provides a really personal glimpse into her own life and her own prodigal, her adopted son, and how she turned to God to find love, grace, time, rest, trust, prayer, promise, hope, spirit, and gifts from God. She offers us personal prayers and words of wisdom in addition to numerous Bible quotes and Scriptural references to help us on our own journeys.
I really like how the book is set up to be read over the course of 90 days which allows us to focus upon ten different topics that can aid us and our prodigals in their lives. I made lots of notes while reading When You Love a Prodigal so that I could go back and re-read and and look up Bible quotes to reflect upon again and again.
I recommend When You Love a Prodigal to those who enjoy Christian non-fiction, those with a prodigal family member or friend, or those seeking to form a closer relationship with God.
November 30, 2019
"When You Love a Prodigal" by Judy Douglass is a devotional. The book deals with the important topic of prodigal children. As a parent I feel for parents whose kids become prodigals. This parent would be filled with so many difficult emotions. God meets the parents where they are at with all their questions in this devotional. There are different topics in each devotional with scripture and then there are questions of reflection. I admire this author because she is real and open about her struggles in dealing with her own prodigal. There are many people who have prodigals and do not have a resource like this. I am hoping by reading this review people will read this book and get the help they need so as parents they will not feel alone. Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for allowing me to read and review this book. It is well written and a very helpful resource. I will post my review on facebook, netgalley, Goodreads, my blog, Amazon and share it with the church staff.
November 26, 2019
Judy's mantra - Erring on the side of Grace - has brought much HOPE to the relationship I have with my prodigal. I've been following her on Judy.Douglass.com for years and these 90 Days of Hope for the Wilderness is a great devotion that will help God capture your heart with His love for you. This biblically-based devotion will help YOU change how you see, respond and Love your prodigal. Excellent, biblically-based read! Highly recommended.
November 10, 2019
A prodigal is defined as one who "wastes his means"; "a spendthrift"; "a repentant wastrel who is welcomed back warmly on his homecoming"; "a person who returns after a willful absence". Most of us have known a prodigal--either in our own life, or in the lives of others around us. Author Judy Douglass has written "When You Love a Prodigal: 90 Days of Grace for the Wilderness"--a collection of 90 reflective essays which include response questions to help you think through the meaning and application of each essay. The timeless themes explored here are "Love", "Grace", "Time", "Rest", "Trust", "Prayer", "Promise", "Hope", "Spirit", and "Gift". The author shares her personal prodigal story, and as this book says: "The prodigal journey is all of our journeys".
Book Copy Gratis Bethany House Books
Book Copy Gratis Bethany House Books
November 12, 2019
This book is a great gift to those of us who have a prodigal in our lives. Judy shares the story of her journey with her son with vulnerability, power and great love. Her powerful, encouraging words help those of us on this difficult road to find the hope, grace and faith needed to receive from God the gifts he has on the journey. Highly recommend!
October 31, 2019
When You Love A Prodigal, by Judy Douglass, is a 90 day devotional filled with hope and grace for those waiting the return of a prodigal.
The book is written for those loving a prodigal and it is often the perseverance part which presents the greatest challenge as one waits. It is not easy to persevere and wait as a loved one spirals into despair and/or destruction.
Judy Douglass writes from experience, sharing her story in ten chapters which focus on ten words: love, grace, time, rest, trust, prayer, promise, hope, Spirit, and gift.
Each chapter is then broken down into nine days, bringing hope and encouragement in its short reading and two response questions.
God has given us an example in and through His Son, Jesus. Jesus deals with each of us as prodigals as He draws us to Himself with His love, mercy, and grace. Over and over He extends these to us as He continually reaches out to us.
Through her transparency, Judy Douglass, brings the powerful reminder that God is at work – in the lives of our prodigals and in ourselves. We truly are not capable in ourselves for this journey and God knowing this, equips us each day.
**I received this book from Bethany House Publishers. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
The book is written for those loving a prodigal and it is often the perseverance part which presents the greatest challenge as one waits. It is not easy to persevere and wait as a loved one spirals into despair and/or destruction.
Judy Douglass writes from experience, sharing her story in ten chapters which focus on ten words: love, grace, time, rest, trust, prayer, promise, hope, Spirit, and gift.
Each chapter is then broken down into nine days, bringing hope and encouragement in its short reading and two response questions.
God has given us an example in and through His Son, Jesus. Jesus deals with each of us as prodigals as He draws us to Himself with His love, mercy, and grace. Over and over He extends these to us as He continually reaches out to us.
Through her transparency, Judy Douglass, brings the powerful reminder that God is at work – in the lives of our prodigals and in ourselves. We truly are not capable in ourselves for this journey and God knowing this, equips us each day.
**I received this book from Bethany House Publishers. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
October 31, 2019
Any parent who's loved a prodigal will want to read this book. Author Judy Douglass shares 90 daily readings that help parents love their prodigal.
Based on her personal experience, Judy offers a perspective that's relatable, true and hope-filled. She divides the book into sections that allow readers to skip through to the topics they need that day if they wish. Readers can also read one or more essays a day or read the book straight through. The book also includes two questions at the end of each essay to help readers process the essay and think through their response to the invitation of the day.
Geared toward Christians, "When You Love A Prodigal" will fill readers with hope. It bolstered my faith, provided encouragement every day and let me know that I am not alone. I appreciate Judy's vulnerability and her willingness to share some of her journey with other struggling parents. I am saving this book on my Kindle to re-read often.
Based on her personal experience, Judy offers a perspective that's relatable, true and hope-filled. She divides the book into sections that allow readers to skip through to the topics they need that day if they wish. Readers can also read one or more essays a day or read the book straight through. The book also includes two questions at the end of each essay to help readers process the essay and think through their response to the invitation of the day.
Geared toward Christians, "When You Love A Prodigal" will fill readers with hope. It bolstered my faith, provided encouragement every day and let me know that I am not alone. I appreciate Judy's vulnerability and her willingness to share some of her journey with other struggling parents. I am saving this book on my Kindle to re-read often.
September 26, 2019
Judy’s authentic and gracious posture is so encouraging to experience as page after page of this book she unfolds how the days and years of loving their prodigal continually brought her closer to the arms of a loving God who is always at work for the good of each of us. When fear, anguish and heartache can seem never ending, I love how she points the reader to cultivate a thankful and surrendered heart that clings to a great and powerful God. A book that turns your eyes and heart upward when circumstances can feel overwhelming. A must read for any parent even if you don’t have a “prodigal”.
November 3, 2019
I'm a little more than halfway through, but this book is so good. Judy Douglass speaks from experience of her many years with her prodigal son, but her lessons and encouragements here can apply to any parent. Time, prayer, love, grace, rest, all of these are good gifts we can give to all of our children. But, for those who have prodigals, this book is a balm. In 90 daily devotionals, Douglass gives personal stories and Scriptures and prayers that can help you focus on what's truly important. Highly recommend.
October 5, 2019
This book is a great 90-day journey through the joys, struggles, and growth of loving a prodigal. A quick 5 minute daily read with a couple of thought provoking questions. If you feel alone in your walk with your prodigal, grab this book and spend some time with it and God!
May 19, 2021
I am so very thankful the Lord brought this devotional into my life for this season. Tomorrow, will mark 2 years since our prodigal left our home. It took going through each day's reading by the author, as well as reading a full chapter pulled from one of the included verses, that I was able to, at one point, literally sob out my surrender. By letting go of my frustrations and fears regarding harmful choices and addictions, I was able to give up the timing and God's Way (how He plans to bring our prodigal to Himself). However, I am strengthened in my resolve to NEVER give up on our adult child. I will never stop praying; nor cease to let more than a few days go by without at least sending our prodigal a reminder of my love and my ongoing prayers.
Even if it takes 5 years...10 years...20, and if the Lord wants me to continue living longer than that, then I will never let a day go by that I pray for the Lord to bring Him home (figuratively, most likely). But that's okay. His Ways are so much greater than our ideas.
Finally, a couple things that have stuck with me during this study, are:
1--In regards to the choices my prodigal is making, instead of focusing on the negatives, I try to remember that he/she is "building their testimony".
2-- HOPE
Holding
On (with)
Patient
Expectation
Yes, I now hope (see Romans 5 for the theme of the acrostic above)
I'm planning to not only pray tomorrow for our prodigal's safe return, but also join with others on June 2nd, the national day of Prayer for Prodigals
I do ultimately pray, that in my lifetime, I will see God's amazing, miraculous work in bringing about the results of our child no longer being our prodigal.
Lord, I trust You.
Even if it takes 5 years...10 years...20, and if the Lord wants me to continue living longer than that, then I will never let a day go by that I pray for the Lord to bring Him home (figuratively, most likely). But that's okay. His Ways are so much greater than our ideas.
Finally, a couple things that have stuck with me during this study, are:
1--In regards to the choices my prodigal is making, instead of focusing on the negatives, I try to remember that he/she is "building their testimony".
2-- HOPE
Holding
On (with)
Patient
Expectation
Yes, I now hope (see Romans 5 for the theme of the acrostic above)
I'm planning to not only pray tomorrow for our prodigal's safe return, but also join with others on June 2nd, the national day of Prayer for Prodigals
I do ultimately pray, that in my lifetime, I will see God's amazing, miraculous work in bringing about the results of our child no longer being our prodigal.
Lord, I trust You.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 25, 2020
When You Love a Prodigal
90 Days of Grace for the Wilderness
by Judy Douglass
Bethany House
Bethany House Publishers
Christian
Pub Date 17 Sep 2019
I am reviewing a copy of When You Love a Prodigal through Bethany House Publishers and Netgalley:
In this book we are reminded that loving a prodigal is a long desperate journey, one that is filled with fear, worry and self -recrimination. You find yourself waiting for the call will it be for the jail or from the hospital? You find yourself pleading with your loved one, while you are looking for help for them. You feel the shame, you cry out why Lord?
Author Judy Douglas is familiar with what it means to love a Prodigal. She is one herself and created a large and loving community of prodigals.
As Judy traveled on this road with her own prodigal--reading, learning, praying, and seeking God. Over and over he continued to give her wisdom, he sustained her, he covered her with grace, and he filled her with hope.
If you are looking for a book that will give you hope for your prodigal: When You Love A Prodigal is just that book.
I give When You Love a Prodigal five out of five stars!
Happy Reading!
90 Days of Grace for the Wilderness
by Judy Douglass
Bethany House
Bethany House Publishers
Christian
Pub Date 17 Sep 2019
I am reviewing a copy of When You Love a Prodigal through Bethany House Publishers and Netgalley:
In this book we are reminded that loving a prodigal is a long desperate journey, one that is filled with fear, worry and self -recrimination. You find yourself waiting for the call will it be for the jail or from the hospital? You find yourself pleading with your loved one, while you are looking for help for them. You feel the shame, you cry out why Lord?
Author Judy Douglas is familiar with what it means to love a Prodigal. She is one herself and created a large and loving community of prodigals.
As Judy traveled on this road with her own prodigal--reading, learning, praying, and seeking God. Over and over he continued to give her wisdom, he sustained her, he covered her with grace, and he filled her with hope.
If you are looking for a book that will give you hope for your prodigal: When You Love A Prodigal is just that book.
I give When You Love a Prodigal five out of five stars!
Happy Reading!
April 3, 2020
My kids are still 4 and 3 years old - not in the category of "prodigal" in the traditional sense. But this book not only expanded my definition of prodigals to include anyone I'm in relationship with, but began with reminding me that I myself am a prodigal. When I switch the narrative and see myself and others in a different light, I can understand the bigger picture: accept the love and grace given to me, rest in God's promises, and have understanding, love, and grace for others that can overcome the pain and hurt that naturally happens in a fallen world.
December 5, 2019
This book was a powerful honestly beautiful writing and compelling to read with also had challenging, encouraging and sharing her journey to us finding the way to change your fear escalates, faith dwindles, hope wanes to believe that God and bring love that prodigal to all of us because he was love us and be with us from the fist place. I highly recommend to everyone must to read this book. “ I received complimentary a copy of this book from Bethany House for this reviews”.
December 26, 2019
Judy writes with refreshing honesty and solid grounding in the truth. Whether you have a prodigal or not, this book shares principles that renewed my heart toward the lost and encouraged me to examine my faith and trust in God for all things.
October 2, 2024
The 90 devotionals in this book are a comfort and encouragement to anyone who has a prodigal in their life, whether that is a child, sibling, parent, or friend. Judy Douglass' honesty is so appreciated. She reminds readers again and again that God is in control.
December 28, 2019
Such a great book with the encouragement from God for this journey!! This is a wonderful devotional filled with scripture and testimonies of the unconditional love of God!
May 18, 2023
How I wish I had this resource when my children were adolescents. There is so much wisdom in these 90 devotionals, pain and peace. God bless you, Judy, for sharing your journey.
June 26, 2024
Who's to be considered a prodigal. Perhaps I can find love there lol.
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