You're a committed parent. You've loved your child since the day they left the womb. You've offered equal parts affection and discipline. Taught your child how to pray at a young age. Made sure worship, Sunday school and youth ministry was a priority. Like all parents you've made the usual mistakes. But you have parented that child with all your heart. And then, without warning, that child goes a different way. A way from family and church and all the things you emphasized so much. Your child, like the son in the Parable of the Prodigal, has drifted away.
Jim and Bill Putman know and feel your pain.
In their new book, "Hope for the Prodigal" the Putman's share their story of dealing with prodigals. Jim, Bill's son, went through a season as a prodigal. Jim has a son who went the way of the prodigal for a time. This honest and transparent book offers real hope to those who lament the wandering ways of their child.
In "Hope for the Prodigal" you'll find common sense advice supported by verse after verse of Holy Scripture. The telling of the story of the Prodigal from Luke, chapter 15 was most enlightening and I found insights that I'd not captured before. The Putnam's emphasize the importance of building a home that is hard for children to leave that they also find a home that, when they are ready, is easy to return to. The Putnam's also write about the impact a broken family has on an entire church community. They make it clear than when a family sufferers through the trials and conflicts of dealing with a prodigal, the church must be there for the prodigal and the family and offer unconditional help, support and love.
Know a family that is dealing with a rebellious child? Recommend that they read, "Hope for the Prodigal." Later, they will thank you for the recommendation.
