Episodes

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 responsibilities to protect, supervise, care for and discipline their sheep. It is no wonder that G...

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: Join the Prayer for Prodigals community here: https://bit.ly/3uyhSWQ Sign up for Judy’s monthly n...

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.ly/39TBlYt Purchase a copy of the When You Love a Prodigal book for you or a loved one here: https://a...

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 desires—from God and from that prodigal. Resources: Join the Prayer for Prodigals community here: https://b...

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 your imagination and decide what might work best for you. Resources: Join the Prayer for Prodigals c...

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 for surviving and even loving the holidays this season. Resources: Join the Prayer for Prodigals co...

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 what about the rest of the year? Can we walk through life with a grateful heart? Resources: Join t...

Our prodigal’s grandfather was dying. Papa was the most important man in Josh’s life. When he became ill and was growing weaker and weaker, we were fearful that Josh would be so devastated when Papa passed that he might take his own life. Instead, Josh planned the funeral. He said he wanted to become a good man like his grandfather—to make him proud. And he thanked God for him. Giving thanks has been one of the most transforming practices I have learned in my life. And our long prodigal wilder...

Invisible. I almost didn’t see her, pressing tightly to the road sign, practically invisible. She was clearly homeless, preferring to hide, but needing to be seen with her cardboard sign: Homeless. Please help. God has given me many opportunities to interact with homeless people. Do you know the most consistent word they use to describe how they feel? Invisible. And that’s how prodigal lovers often feel—they are invisible to God. Resources: Join the Prayer for Prodigals community here: https:...

Most of us have two, maybe three names, and perhaps a nickname. Each of us loves to hear our name—that means someone knows us, or cares about us or wants us. Sometimes we are named after a loved one, or our parents have chosen a name with symbolic meaning. However they originate, they become us. We are known by our names. Our God is known by His many names. Every one of His names identifies a truth about Him. His names reveal who He is, what He is like, how He will act. Each name is a promise. ...

They had three children and God sent them eight more—to adopt and foster. What they learned from parenting 11 children and their global work with orphans has given them transformational insights into what happens to children growing up in difficult, dangerous, and destructive situations. Their research and experience will help anyone with a prodigal, and anyone in their parenting. Resources: Join the Prayer for Prodigals community here: https://bit.ly/3uyhSWQ Sign up for Judy’s monthly newslet...

So, after you’ve prayed long, speaking out everything you can think of to pray, what do you do? After any of us prays, then what? First, we wait—to see what God is doing. Sometimes we will see immediate answers; other times we await the unfolding of change. He is often kind to give us little glimpses of His response to our prayers. Some of us will rejoice in amazing transformations. Mostly we will wait. Resources: Join the Prayer for Prodigals community here: https://bit.ly/3uyhSWQ Sign up for...

My prodigal had lied again. With a sincere assurance that he was speaking the truth. When I knew it was a lie, anger overwhelmed me. Harsh words came from my mouth. I almost said, “Don’t bother to come home.” Fortunately, God seemed to stop the last word—home—before it came out. Is it possible to forego reprimand and harsh punishment and instead choose forgiveness and blessing? Is it even wise? Resources: Join the Prayer for Prodigals community here: https://bit.ly/3uyhSWQ Sign up for Judy’s m...

In middle school our prodigal had joined a gang, looking for friends he could identify with. He loved hanging with them. But one day he came home with terror in his eyes. His gang had gotten into a fight with another gang, and somehow the members of the other gang had felt that our Josh was the cause of the conflict. They were coming after him. When the battle escalates, our prayers must also! Resources: Join the Prayer for Prodigals community here: https://bit.ly/3uyhSWQ Sign up for Judy’s m...

When my oldest grandson was about four and living near me, I often heard these words from him: “Let’s talk about it.” Mention anything—Star Wars, the playground, a snack, the latest book we had read—and he wanted to talk about it. I find it amazing that any 4-year-old would say, “Let’s talk about it.” But that’s what God says to us: “Let’s talk about it, Judy.” Today we consider what it means to talk with God. Resources: Join the Prayer for Prodigals community here: https://docs.google.com/f...

In Thailand you might see Buddhist priests receiving bowls of rice in exchange for prayer, or in India people stopping at Wayside Shrines to pray, and in parts of Africa and China they might beseech favor from long-gone ancestors. Most people find life uncertain, threatening, frightening, so they turn to someone or something they hope has a power that can help, rescue, set free, give hope. And if you love a prodigal, you will often turn to prayer for help. Resources: Join the Prayer for Prodi...

Is your prodigal bad and rebellious, or suffering from trauma or mental illness? Michelle Essary, mental health counselor and neurofeedback specialist, talks about what might be the underlying cause of your troubled loved one’s acting out and destructive choices. You will gain helpful understanding and possible solutions. Michelle Essary is a Licensed Professional Counselor. She holds a Master’s Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Denver Seminary. Michelle has experience working wi...

I think you are going to love today’s episode as my daughter, Michelle Essary, and I have a lively and honest conversation about the realities of living with a prodigal. Michelle Essary is a Licensed Professional Counselor. She holds a Master’s Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Denver Seminary. Michelle has experience working with individuals, couples and groups. She specializes in relationship issues, cross-cultural transition, life transition, anxiety, grief, and depression. Sh...

My son was always a hard sleeper. Even as an adult. He asked me to make sure he was up that morning. I called numerous times, but no answer. So, I hopped in the car and drove the two blocks over. I banged on the door. No answer. Through the smoky glass window alongside the door I could see a person hanging from the loft. Was that my son? If you are in crisis, help is available by call or text 1-800-273-8255 24/7. You can also visit https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org. You are loved! If you k...

It’s like pulling daisy petals: He loves me. He loves me not. As our prodigals make dangerous decisions, our hearts and our minds waver. Does God love my child, my spouse, my sibling? Does God really love me? Can I trust Him? Resources: Join the Prayer for Prodigals community here. Sign up for Judy’s monthly newsletter here. Purchase a copy of the When You Love a Prodigal book for you or a loved one here. Read my latest blog post: Oh How He Loves You and Me! Stay connected: Website: com Faceboo...

Our son had a lot of questions for God—hard questions: Who was his dad and why didn’t he want him? Why did his mother—whom he loved—always choose her addictions over him? Why did they take him away from her? I imagine you have some hard questions about the hard journey you are on. If we are to trust God in this challenging journey with our prodigals, we need to see that He is trustworthy. Resources: Join the Prayer for Prodigals community here. Sign up for Judy’s monthly newsletter here. Purch...

“You can trust me.” How many times has your prodigal said that? How long has it taken you to realize, No, you can’t trust them? But our God says: “You can trust me.” Join us this week to discover why that is true. Resources: Join the Prayer for Prodigals community here. Sign up for Judy’s monthly newsletter here. Purchase a copy of the When You Love a Prodigal book for you or a loved one here. Check out my latest blog post: How to be a Peacemaker Stay connected: Website:judydouglass.com Face...

It had been a challenging three years of foster care—so many residuals from fetal alcohol syndrome, neglect, abuse and other traumas of this boy’s early childhood. Now he was up for adoption. Could we? Would we? But God’s word came clearly: “I told you I was sending you a son. Why are you rejecting my gift?” We said “yes.” Resources: Join the Prayer for Prodigals community here. Sign up for Judy’s monthly newsletter here. A new edition August 4th. Purchase a copy of the When You Love a Prodig...

You probably know the story of the monkey who wanted the banana in the bottom of the jar. He thrust his hand right in there and grabbed it—then tried to pull it out. It was stuck. He pulled and pulled, but could not get his hand, holding on to that banana, out of that jar. Until he let go of the fruit. Often that’s the way it is for me with God and my holding on to my way with my prodigal. Resources: Join the Prayer for Prodigals community here. Sign up for Judy’s monthly newsletter here. Augu...