When You Love a Prodigal

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 Lion Stalking?: https://bit.ly/42fNe73
• 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: judydouglass.com/podcast
• Facebook: facebook.com/JudyDouglass417
• Instagram: instagram.com/judydouglass417
• X: twitter.com/judydouglass417
• Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/judyddouglass/
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/JudyDouglass

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 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: judydouglass.com/podcast
• Facebook: facebook.com/JudyDouglass417
• Instagram: instagram.com/judydouglass417
• X: twitter.com/judydouglass417
• Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/judyddouglass/
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/JudyDouglass

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 find TOTALLY delightful!) I'll be telling you more about it in the coming days, but just know I am so excited to offer you this devotional that I hope will bring you joy while you read it, and hope for joy after you put it down.

You can pre-order here: https://a.co/d/9i864E5

• Podcast (Find Joy...No Matter What): https://jillbaughan.com/podcast/
• Make a Joy Box for Someone You Care About: https://jillbaughan.com/joy-box
• Website: https://jillbaughan.com
• Enter for a chance to win Jill’s new book: https://judydouglass.com/bookgiveaway

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/3RuiUx9

Stay connected:

• Website: judydouglass.com/podcast
• Facebook: facebook.com/JudyDouglass417
• Instagram: instagram.com/judydouglass417
• X: x.com/judydouglass417
• Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/judyddouglass/
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/JudyDouglass

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 them, I am changed. Sometimes my circumstances change. And often I see new ways that God is answering my prayer

Judy’s Resources:

• Read Living Out Love: https://bit.ly/3F3c9l4
• Read Immersed in His Love: https://bit.ly/3R3Nvnf
• Read Scandalous Grace: https://bit.ly/4i2wxkX
• Read Turning Scripture into Blessing: https://bit.ly/4hZdRTd
• 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: judydouglass.com/podcast
• Facebook: facebook.com/JudyDouglass417
• Instagram: instagram.com/judydouglass417
• Twitter: twitter.com/judydouglass417
• Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/judyddouglass/
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/JudyDouglass

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 University of Alabama. From there, she attended Richmont Graduate University. She has worked for 11 years in private practice and has over 20 years of experience working with teenagers.

Casey’s Resources:

• Casey’s Blog: https://www.forwhatitsworthblog.com
• https://www.attachmentproject.com/

Judy’s Resources:

• Read Home: The Most Significant Place in the World: https://bit.ly/3Qo3FYg
• Read Joy and Pain Over Generations: https://bit.ly/4hGNt0b
• 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: judydouglass.com/podcast
• Facebook: facebook.com/JudyDouglass417
• Instagram: instagram.com/judydouglass417
• Twitter: twitter.com/judydouglass417
• Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/judyddouglass/
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/JudyDouglass

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 every reason not to rebel.

Judy’s Resources:

• Read Words of My Life 4: Surrender: https://bit.ly/4aMx4o0
• Read My Rebellion, My Idols: https://bit.ly/40ZdDFi
• 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: judydouglass.com/podcast
• Facebook: facebook.com/JudyDouglass417
• Instagram: instagram.com/judydouglass417
• Twitter: twitter.com/judydouglass417
• Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/judyddouglass/
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/JudyDouglass

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 the When You Love a Prodigal book for you or a loved one here: https://amzn.to/3RuiUx9

Stay connected:

• Website: judydouglass.com/podcast
• Facebook: facebook.com/JudyDouglass417
• Instagram: instagram.com/judydouglass417
• Twitter: twitter.com/judydouglass417
• Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/judyddouglass/
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/JudyDouglass

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 believe, but always with clouds of doubt blocking the brightness you desire.

Can we have hope for the new year? Assuredly so!

Judy’s Resources:

• Read “Can you dare to hope?”: http://tinyurl.com/mufeb349
• Read “The Lament of a Sigh”: http://tinyurl.com/2s3bvxu7
• 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: judydouglass.com/podcast
• Facebook: facebook.com/JudyDouglass417
• Instagram: instagram.com/judydouglass417
• Twitter: twitter.com/judydouglass417
• Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/judyddouglass/
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/JudyDouglass

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.

Judy’s Resources:

• Read The Gifts of Advent https://tinyurl.com/34h24mjw
• 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: judydouglass.com/podcast
• Facebook: facebook.com/JudyDouglass417
• Instagram: instagram.com/judydouglass417
• Twitter: twitter.com/judydouglass417
• Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/judyddouglass/
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/JudyDouglass

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/3BpvxHp
• 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: judydouglass.com/podcast
• Facebook: facebook.com/JudyDouglass417
• Instagram: instagram.com/judydouglass417
• Twitter: twitter.com/judydouglass417
• Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/judyddouglass/
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/JudyDouglass