Rebroadcast of Episode Forty-Two: 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 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 Dena’s ministry here: https://hopeforhurtingparents.com/ and purchase her book here: https://amzn.to/3r4gc7p

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

It’s not often I interview someone who comes from Freeport, Texas, which was like a summer home for me in high school. As Justin and I talked we knew many of the same places.

And I loved his redemptive story.

He grew up in the church, chose some wrong friends, rescued by a discerning judge, a long stint in the Navy—and a guitar.

You will love his Texas accent, his story, and a hopeful future.

Justin’s Resources:

• Website: www.justingambino.com
• Stream his music: justin-gambino.lnk.to/JustLikeJesusEP

Enter for a chance to win a Just Like Jesus CD: judydouglass.com/giveaway

Judy’s Resources:

• Read Finding the Gifts in Hard Times: https://bit.ly/3KCJdDF
• 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

On June 2, about 25 years ago, our prodigal, Josh, met Jesus. He was living at House of Hope, a nearby residential home for troubled teens. His house dad, Mike, loved him, prayed for him, sought to guide him into better life choices, and on June 2, 1997, he introduced our son to Jesus. That evening Mike baptized him in the nearby lake. Josh’s life changed then, and when he came home months later. He wanted to walk with God. But wrong friends and the trauma of his early life put him on a roller coaster. He would do well and make good choices for days, weeks, even months. Then down he would go for many months. The unpredictable cycle went on for 15 years.

Judy’s Resources:

• Read The Grace-full Father: https://bit.ly/3SiGkIm
• Read A Word from Josh: https://bit.ly/3ZDiH10
• 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

Pamela Henkelman is a certified Empty Nest Coach, speaker, writer, and host of the Midlife Momma Podcast. With her bright smile and enthusiastic personality, she is passionate about encouraging women, particularly the often-forgotten group of moms with adult children. She has much wisdom for those whose adult children have cut off connection with them.

I loved this quote on Pamela’s Instagram: “Talk less and pray more! Lead with love!”

Pam’s Resources:

• Learn more about Pamela: https://www.pamelahenkelman.com/
• Listen to Pam’s Podcast: https://www.pamelahenkelman.com/podcast
• 10 Things Not to Say to Your Adult Children(and 5 Ways to Stop Yourself from Saying Them). Free resource: https://wandering-union-986.myflodesk.com/atrt8t373z

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

This might be the most helpful episode we’ve done on this podcast.

Loving a prodigal can be like a roller coaster—the ups and downs, the unexpected turns. The dashed hopes.

In our last episode we looked at our persistent enemy—a roaring lion we know as Satan. This week we will look at what an opportunist he is, and ways we can resist him.

Judy’s Resources:

• Read The Ways of the Enemy: Opportunist: https://bit.ly/4jT5UiI
• Read The Ways of the Enemy: Counterfeit-The Way: https://bit.ly/44MzGBn
• 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

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