In Philippian 4:6 the instructions are more specific: Pray about everything, with thanksgiving.

Pray, of course. Give thanks? Much harder.

But that is exactly what we are told to do, even in scary, out-of-control circumstances. Give thanks. It has been one of the most important, helpful, even life-changing truths I have learned.

Judy’s Resources:

• Read Give Thanks:Pray with Thanksgiving - https://bit.ly/3VbqvoJ
• 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
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• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/JudyDouglass

Our natural response in times of uncertainty and in life with a prodigal and the fears and frustrations we encounter, is to name everything that is wrong, to complain about all we don’t like. And our God receives our honest laments.

But He also encourages us to give thanks. In everything.

Seriously? How do we do that?

Judy’s Resources:

• Read Give Thanks: In Everything. - https://bit.ly/41cxTUL
• 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

I was reading Barbara Rainey’s blog recently and saw a post Relating to Your Adult Children. For most of the years God has had me in a loving a prodigal ministry, we have focused mostly on teens and young adults. But in recent years I hear more and more stories from parents whose adult children have separated from them—some a little, many because of rejecting their faith, and many who have completely cut off contact with their parents.

Today Dennis and Barbara are giving us practical and surprising ways to keep that relationship positive and healthy

The Rainey’s Resources:

• Website: https://www.theraineys.org
• Listen to The Dennis & Barbara Podcast: https://www.theraineys.org/podcasts
• Learn more about FamilyLife: https://www.familylife.com
• Read Barbara’s Book, My Heart, Ever His: Prayers for Women : https://a.co/d/dAOSNbN

Judy’s Resources:

• Read How to Be a Peacemaker: https://bit.ly/3YZguNF
• Read What to Wear as a Follower of Jesus: Humility: https://bit.ly/4fFqQaY
• 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
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/JudyDouglass

As I have listened to the stories of friends’ prodigals and prayed for my son and many others, God took me on a journey back into the wilderness.

Gratefully I was reminded over and over of the transforming truths that I have learned on that path. And I am still learning.

These truths are gifts! Let me remind us all of some of the gifts we receive on a prodigal journey.

Judy’s Resources:

• Read God's Birthday Gifts to Me: https://bit.ly/3UCFo3c
• 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, October 29, 2024, marks two years since my wonderful husband, Steve, was called home to Heaven.

He was a wise, loving man, and had much to offer everyone he encountered. Today’s podcast is a gift from Steve, telling of his walk with God and his discovery of true peace. I believe you will be blessed by it.

Judy’s Resources:

• Read How to Live and Love Like Jesus by Steve Douglass: https://bit.ly/3C5YgB5
• Read Living Under Pressure by Steve Douglass: https://bit.ly/3O3UN93
• 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

In all my years of loving a prodigal and seeking to help others love their prodigal, one word has been the key, the difference, the change agent: GRACE

Early in my journey with my prodigal, God gave me a guiding word. He said, “When you make mistakes with this boy, and you will, (and I did), make them on the side of grace.”

There is so much grace for you and your prodigal in this episode.

Judy’s Resources:

• Read Amazing Grace! blog: https://bit.ly/3C32JnT
• Free Ebook, Embracing Grace: https://judydouglass.com/embracinggrace
• 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

About 10 years ago we went through a scary time with our adopted son.

Josh had twice, in response to great disappointments, threatened to take his life. We reasoned with him, assured him of our love, stayed with him. Gratefully, he backed down, but we were on alert.

Josh’s birth grandfather—Papa—was the most important person in his life. Papa was slowly failing, with various ailments claiming more and more of his 88-year-old body. We were holding our breath.

Have you been in that place with your prodigal—fearful of what the next steps might be? Don’t miss this episode.

Judy’s Resources:

• Read When Life Gets Scary: https://bit.ly/489RAh3
• Read Words of Hope: https://bit.ly/484KjPP
• 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

Does that title entice you? In your journey with a prodigal, would you like to be moving from guilt to grace? Our guest today is Dawn Ward, a life and mental health coach, writer, speaker, and one of us. Her ministry is Faith to Flourish and her brand new book is From Guilt to Grace. After a long family journey of prodigalness, addiction and guilt, an “aha” moment marked the turning point.

Dawn’s Resources:

• Website: https://www.thefaithtoflourish.com
• Buy From Guilt to Grace: https://a.co/d/3quYWbP
• YouTube: https://youtube.com/thefaithtoflourishwithdawnward
• Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thefaithtoflourishblog
• Follow on FB: https://www.facebook.com/thefaithtoflourish
• Enter to win a copy of From Guilt to Grace: https://judydouglass.com/bookgiveaway

Judy’s Resources:

• Read The Dust of Our Lives: https://bit.ly/47ZA13x
• Read Grace Stoops: https://bit.ly/3XVwYoi
• 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
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/JudyDouglass