Today’s guest blogger, Andrea Merrell, has written a powerful book for parents with prodigal children–Praying for the Prodigal. If you need hope for your kids, Andrea’s book is for you. Your children may be rebelling against God now, but stand firm in your faith. Stand in the gap for them and remember that God loves your children even more than you do. I hope Andrea’s blog will touch your heart as it did mine.
Blessings, Michelle
Blue lights flashed as I made my way to the drive-thru line at a local fast-food restaurant. The gas station adjacent to the parking lot was roped off with tape and blocked by several police cars. I fought uneasiness and the urge to keep driving.
When I reached the window to pay for my food, I asked what was going on. Thinking there might have been a robbery, I was shocked to hear, “Young guy went in the bathroom, shot up, and OD’d.”
As I drove away, my heart broke and the tears fell. I didn’t know the young man, but I grieved for him—for his friends and family—for all the young people caught up in this destructive lifestyle. Perhaps my tears were also tears of joy and thankfulness. Whenever there is a senseless tragedy like this, I always hear the words, “That could have been your kids.”
And it almost was.
For several years, both my son and daughter were caught up in a lifestyle of drugs and alcohol. My husband and I did everything we knew to raise them in a godly environment, and this was this last thing we ever expected to happen.
READ MORE: BIG PROBLEMS? GOD IS BIGGER
Statistics say that 88 percent of children raised in an evangelical Christian home will leave the church by the age of 18. Many will turn away from authority, parental values and biblical teaching, losing their potential, their health, and their destiny—sometimes even their lives. We just never thought it could happen to us. Suddenly we found ourselves dealing with not one but two prodigals, and we had no idea what to do.
During those dark, dreadful days, there were tears, anger, frustration, exorbitant expenses and many sleepless nights. It was only by God’s grace that my children survived. There were many times they could have gone to jail, been critically injured, or even died. Because I blamed myself, my guilt and condemnation caused me to doubt myself and even God. How could He possibly let this happen?
The truth is: Even good kids rebel—and even good parents can end up with a prodigal.
I learned that God loves my kids even more than I do, and He is well-able to take care of them. My responsibility is to love them and pray His Word over them daily. Before I could do that with faith and confidence, I had to get my relationship with Him back on track by forgiving myself, forgiving my kids, and by learning to trust God with my whole heart.
The road was long and filled with potholes, but God was faithful. He protected my son and daughter, delivered them from the drugs and alcohol, and restored them to a right relationship with Him and with their family. The lessons we learned along the way were numerous. He gave us practical survival tips to keep our sanity in the midst of the crisis and taught us how to stand firmly upon His promises.
If you or someone you love is dealing with a prodigal, know that there is always hope. Take it from someone who has been there—and survived.
Andrea Merrell is an associate editor for Christian Devotions Ministries and Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas. She is the author of Murder of a Manuscript, The Gift and Praying for the Prodigal.
