When You Love a Prodigal

Often it has seemed like my (working hard to not be a) prodigal is under a curse. Actually, I think he is. Bad things happened to him in his first years. Later most of the bad things in his life were his own bad choices. He still experiences consequences from those bad choices. But then he sought to turn his life around. Yet it seemed that every day something happened to distract or detour or depress him. Resources: Breaking Life Bondages: https://bit.ly/3S4VOxM Breaking Life Bondages 2: https://bit.ly/3UCuBEv Love Goes to War: https://bit.ly/3r05HkD 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://amzn.to/3RuiUx9   Stay connected: Website: com/podcast Facebook: com/JudyDouglass417 Instagram: com/judydouglass417 Twitter: com/judydouglass417 Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/judy-douglass-815aa358/ Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/judyddouglass/ YouTube: https://bit.ly/3qzjAqY   [...]

When your children become adults–by age, or leaving home–your role in their lives changes. This is usually challenging to navigate, but especially so when your young adult is a prodigal. Mary DeMuth, author of 46 books, literary agent, podcaster, artist, is the parent of three young adults. She has written a profound and helpful book for this journey: Love, Pray, Listen. In today’s episode–a conversation with Mary–you will find wisdom and practical insights for loving a young adult prodigal. Mary’s Resources: Mary’s website and podcast: MaryDeMuth.com Purchase Mary’s latest book Love, Pray, Listen: Parenting Your Adult Wayward Kids with Joy https://amzn.to/3dkCE7X Gift from Mary: A free ebook of a year of prayers for your adult child: com/lpl. Listen to Mary’s “Re-Story” interview with Judy:https://www.marydemuth.com/4-3/ Judy’s Resources: Gift from Judy: 2 free copies of Mary’s latest book https://judydouglass.com/bookgiveaway 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://amzn.to/3RuiUx9 Stay connected: Website: com/podcast Facebook: com/JudyDouglass417 Instagram: com/judydouglass417 Twitter: com/judydouglass417 Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/judy-douglass-815aa358/ Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/judyddouglass/ YouTube: https://bit.ly/3qzjAqY [...]

We have considered some very different contributors to turning from the Lord–rejecting  family, making dangerous choices. Today we look at how we can make a difference with our words. One time I was so angry at my son I almost said, “Just don’t bother to come home.” Gratefully I caught myself, and tried a better approach. Our words matter. Resources: Read Words of My Life: Gentle https://bit.ly/3xc11eF 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://amzn.to/3RuiUx9 Stay connected: Website: com/podcast Facebook: com/JudyDouglass417 Instagram: com/judydouglass417 Twitter: com/judydouglass417 Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/judy-douglass-815aa358/ Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/judyddouglass/ YouTube: https://bit.ly/3qzjAqY   [...]

On my back porch in California, our cat had her brand-new kittens secluded in a corner. But not hidden from the eagle eye of a soaring eagle. When Mama cat headed to a needed break from her demanding babies, the eagle dropped in, clutched a kitten in each talon and soared off to her nest. Why do I tell such a terrible story?  Because our world is full of danger, for kittens, for you and me, and especially for our prodigals. When you love a prodigal, you get used to the lion stalking. Resources: The Enemy Looks for the Right Time https://bit.ly/3B84ZaE The Ways of the Enemy: 5 Helps to Resist the Devil https://bit.ly/3KWjWA9 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://amzn.to/3RuiUx9 Stay connected: Website: com/podcast Facebook: com/JudyDouglass417 Instagram: com/judydouglass417 Twitter: com/judydouglass417 Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/judy-douglass-815aa358/ Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/judyddouglass/ YouTube: https://bit.ly/3qzjAqY [...]

From the day I was born, I wanted my own way. Growing up, my getting my way pretty much determined the peace and happiness in our home. As a teenager, getting my own way included secretly seeing a forbidden boyfriend for most of a year and other things. Do you identify? Don’t most of us want our own way? Why? Today we look at Part 2 of a series on why they become prodigals. Resources: Read: Growing a Tender Heart for Prodigals and Those who Love Them https://bit.ly/3KpnMRV 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://amzn.to/3l1JPmy Stay connected: Website: com/podcast Facebook: com/JudyDouglass417 Instagram: com/judydouglass417 Twitter: com/judydouglass417 Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/judy-douglass-815aa358/ Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/judyddouglass/ YouTube: https://bit.ly/3qzjAqY [...]

Probably the most frequent question I get asked is Why? Why is my child making these bad choices? Why has my loved one disappeared from my life? We raised her right—why is she living the way she is? Today is the first of four parts on why someone makes the choices they do. And often break our hearts in the process. 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://amzn.to/3l1JPmy For more information on this episode, visit this link: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1thbSuYcfc0imP3jJq549TykfbRzYcoPfT8WDqSkSIZU/edit?usp=sharing Stay connected: Website: com/podcast Facebook: com/JudyDouglass417 Instagram: com/judydouglass417 Twitter: com/judydouglass417 Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/judy-douglass-815aa358/ Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/judyddouglass/ YouTube: https://bit.ly/3qzjAqY   [...]

Awaken the Wonder and Kingdom Encounters are the names Evangelist Caleb Wampler uses in his ministry. I love both concepts. Letting God lead you into Kingdom Encounters on a regular basis will surely Awaken the Wonder in your life as you experience the love, mercy, grace and power of God. In our conversation he shares how this can be a normal part of our lives—something everyone who loves a prodigal needs and desires. Evangelist Caleb Wampler’s Resources: Get a 7-day devotional series for FREE at: kingdomencounters.us/free Get your copy of Evangelist Wampler’s new book, Weighty Words, Influencing the Unseen Realm here: https://bit.ly/3wogEj5 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CalebWampler/ YouTube: https://youtube.com/evangelistcalebwampler Judy’s 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://amzn.to/3l1JPmy Stay connected: Website: com/podcast Facebook: com/JudyDouglass417 Instagram: com/judydouglass417 Twitter: com/judydouglass417 Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/judy-douglass-815aa358/ Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/judyddouglass/ YouTube: https://bit.ly/3qzjAqY   [...]

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 rest of the story. Resources: Read more about Josh’s story here: https://tinyurl.com/39nk7nwv 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://amzn.to/3l1JPmy Stay connected: Website: com/podcast Facebook: com/JudyDouglass417 Instagram: com/judydouglass417 Twitter: com/judydouglass417 Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/judy-douglass-815aa358/ Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/judyddouglass/ YouTube: https://bit.ly/3qzjAqY     [...]

SUMMER BREAK REPLAY 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 God calls Himself Jehovah Rohi: Shepherd. 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://amzn.to/3l1JPmy Learn more about the shepherd who is our God: https://tinyurl.com/3zvdd7p5 Stay connected: Website: judydouglass.com/podcast Facebook: facebook.com/JudyDouglass417 Instagram: instagram.com/judydouglass417 Twitter: twitter.com/judydouglass417 Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/judy-douglass-815aa358/ Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/judyddouglass/ YouTube: https://bit.ly/3qzjAqY   [...]

We are called to love like Jesus—unconditionally. Is it even possible to love a prodigal unconditionally? What is unconditional love? They challenge, betray, defy and deny our love. How do we keep loving them? Today’s episode is Part 1 of some practical ways we can live out loving them as Jesus has loved us. 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://amzn.to/3l1JPmy Stay connected: Website: judydouglass.com/podcast Facebook: facebook.com/JudyDouglass417 Instagram: instagram.com/judydouglass417 Twitter: twitter.com/judydouglass417 Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/judy-douglass-815aa358/ Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/judyddouglass/ YouTube: https://bit.ly/3qzjAqY [...]