Receive Your Gift

Once a month I write a letter to the wonderful Prayer for Prodigals community I am part of.  Often those letters, though specific to those who love a prodigal, apply to any or all of us in the challenging circumstances of life. This is the first in a devotional series--Lessons from the Wilderness--preparing our hearts for the June 2 Worldwide Prodigal Prayer Day.

Dear Lover of Prodigals,

Have you recognized the gift yet?

Because I have spent much time immersed in my When You Love a Prodigal book recently, and because I spoke to some people who love prodigals not long ago, and because our former prodigal is experiencing some challenges, I have been back on my knees.

As I worked on the book and listened to the stories of friends and prayed for my son, 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 am still learning. These truths are gifts!I was reminded that our God loves mercy: “But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. (Ephesians 2;4-5) I have received mercy and learned to give mercy.

I experienced once again that amazing grace: Grace freely offered to me and to my loved one by God Himself. Grace that covers and fills me and flows through me to our son and to many others, to you and your loved one. That grace is a gift.

I was ushered back to a depth of prayer, to crying out to God, to falling to my knees. I once again found myself praying without ceasing—in constant conversation with our God. What a gift and a blessing. (1 Thessalonians 5:17)

And oh, the love. To grasp how much God loves me and is willing to love my prodigal through me. And it has been an extraordinary gift to realize that unconditional love is just that—unconditional, requiring nothing in return.

And surrender. I am a stubborn, strong-willed person. As is my wanderer. And just as he has had to learn to surrender his way to God’s so much better way, so have I. Am I willing to fully entrust my life to my Lord?

Do you see it!? The gift my prodigal has been and continues to be. God has done amazing work in me as a gift from my son.I am grateful.

And I pray God will reveal to you the amazing gifts you have received, even in the midst of such dreadful pain, from your prodigal. Will you receive your gift?

With gratitude,

Judy

What about you? Tell us about your gifts in the wilderness.

c2019 Judy Douglass

If you would be interested in requesting prayer for a prodigal loved one, or being a part of our wonderful praying community, respond in comments or write to me at PrayerforProdigals at gmaildotcom.

If you are not part of the Kindling community, click here to subscribe.