My Prodigal Son
by Carol Elliott © 2003
We were what I considered a typical Christian family. We loved the Lord. We
taught our boys the principles and values we thought they needed to become
responsible adults. We attended church and Sunday School as a family and
enjoyed a variety of activities together. I was a stay at home mom until the boys
were in high school and junior high, and even then I shared the same days off, etc.
I never dreamed our family would encounter the difficulties that lay ahead.
Joshua was a good looking, intelligent, and talented soccer player. He appeared
mature and confident, and consequently spent much of his time with older students.
This created problems.
When he was 15, a party blossomed at our home when my husband and I were
traveling. Josh, who was staying with his grandparents, had permission to have a
single friend over to our house for a few hours, and took advantage. The neighbors
called the police, and most of those present scattered into the night, although Josh
was arrested for underage drinking. He was taken to the police station and
released into the custody of his grandfather. Josh seemed to be remorseful,
however during the next two years he was often defiant, argumentative, wouldn't
come home on time, and caused dissention within our family.
God, change my son’s heart! I prayed. I felt hurt and sad—and angry! My
property was violated! Where did I fail as a parent? What will people in the
community think? Worst of all, he had lost my trust.
Josh's success in soccer continued and he was given a scholarship for the fall
semester of college. Maybe we’re on the right track! I hoped. But then at
graduation he didn't come home all night. He was late for his party. I felt used and
betrayed.
Then came the call one night that summer. 1:30 a.m. He had been arrested on a
drug charge. My husband bailed him out of jail but Josh was angry, not
remorseful. How could this happen? I was angry, afraid, hurt, and very lonely—I
felt so isolated. How did other Christian parents deal with this kind of
problem?
Josh went on to college that fall. Despite his success on the soccer team, he was
extremely unhappy and wanted to leave. He called his younger brother asking if
suicide was a sin and my husband and I immediately sought help for him. God,
please spare His life! Weeks later he came home over a weekend and we found
drugs in his coat pocket. He left home angry, didn't surface for many days,
dropped out of college, and lost contact with our family.
During that time he was arrested again for under age drinking, found himself living in
deplorable conditions, and had trouble keeping a job. He had many tattoos,
earrings, strange hair coloring, and odd clothing. Everything was putting a strain on
my marriage. I claimed Ps. 50:15 "Call upon me in the day of trouble, I shall
rescue you and you will honor Me." I began to pray, God change MY heart!
Help me trust that You have bigger things in mind for Josh someday. Use him
for Your purposes in Your time. Help me focus on Josh's heart, not his
outward appearance. (I Sam. 16:7)
Also during that two year period when Josh was away from our family, my father
died suddenly of a brain aneurysm at age 68. He was a wonderful, Godly man and
my sons adored him. I felt an overwhelming peace because I knew my dad was in
the presence of the Lord. But I also had a peace about Josh, and I started to smile
again.
I began to pray, God, what do you want to do with my life—how do I need to
change? That spring I started a mom's support group because I figured that other
moms must be hurting as much as I was. I called six women and they all came.
We shared our stories and prayed together—I was able to be transparent with my
life. It revolutionized my prayer life, and allowed me to reach out to others who
needed encouragement. I began to pray in a new way, believing God for big things
in the lives of these teens and young adolescents.
Josh asked to move home that spring—God, what should we do? He had been
involved in a variety of car accidents with totaled vehicles, and even motorcycle
gang situations. I was concerned about our younger son and the influence Josh’s
life would have on him
After a great deal of family discussion he came back. God, use my husband and I
as Josh observes our lives. He was no longer involved in the drug scene, although
he was still struggling with his value system. I prayed for the judge when he went to
court, asking for wisdom for his probation officer, and petitioning God to use the
people and circumstances that would make a difference in Josh's life.
On Easter Sunday in 2001 we had an extended family celebration to publicly
acknowledge that our prodigal son had returned. It was an emotional time for all
involved, but very healing. And God was answering more prayers by beginning to
use Josh. Josh talked about his struggles with his best friend, and led him to accept
Christ into his life
Josh is currently finishing his college degree in marketing and business, has a full
time job, and a serious girlfriend.
The mom's group is beginning its sixth year. I am amazed to continue to watch
God answer mom's prayers for their teens and young adolescents. I continue to
pray and ask God to work in the lives of both of my sons. During those long,
difficult years I witnessed many incredible answers to prayer. Those tough years
taught me so very much about trust and resting in the Lord.
I also learned to keep my sense of humor. (Sometimes I view my circumstances
unrealistically and I need to lighten up!) When I was willing to reach out to others,
I found love and support. Also, I learned to let go of the past and live in the
present. (Josh would tell you this part of his life is past history!) I am looking
forward to what God is going to do in the future, for He is an awesome God!
Carol Elliott has been a teacher and Bible study leader for about 28 years. She
has a passion for teaching women and a special gift for treasure-hunting in the book
of Proverbs. Both of her sons are college-aged now and doing well. Email Carol
Elliott
back to Hope Stories
by Carol Elliott © 2003
We were what I considered a typical Christian family. We loved the Lord. We
taught our boys the principles and values we thought they needed to become
responsible adults. We attended church and Sunday School as a family and
enjoyed a variety of activities together. I was a stay at home mom until the boys
were in high school and junior high, and even then I shared the same days off, etc.
I never dreamed our family would encounter the difficulties that lay ahead.
Joshua was a good looking, intelligent, and talented soccer player. He appeared
mature and confident, and consequently spent much of his time with older students.
This created problems.
When he was 15, a party blossomed at our home when my husband and I were
traveling. Josh, who was staying with his grandparents, had permission to have a
single friend over to our house for a few hours, and took advantage. The neighbors
called the police, and most of those present scattered into the night, although Josh
was arrested for underage drinking. He was taken to the police station and
released into the custody of his grandfather. Josh seemed to be remorseful,
however during the next two years he was often defiant, argumentative, wouldn't
come home on time, and caused dissention within our family.
God, change my son’s heart! I prayed. I felt hurt and sad—and angry! My
property was violated! Where did I fail as a parent? What will people in the
community think? Worst of all, he had lost my trust.
Josh's success in soccer continued and he was given a scholarship for the fall
semester of college. Maybe we’re on the right track! I hoped. But then at
graduation he didn't come home all night. He was late for his party. I felt used and
betrayed.
Then came the call one night that summer. 1:30 a.m. He had been arrested on a
drug charge. My husband bailed him out of jail but Josh was angry, not
remorseful. How could this happen? I was angry, afraid, hurt, and very lonely—I
felt so isolated. How did other Christian parents deal with this kind of
problem?
Josh went on to college that fall. Despite his success on the soccer team, he was
extremely unhappy and wanted to leave. He called his younger brother asking if
suicide was a sin and my husband and I immediately sought help for him. God,
please spare His life! Weeks later he came home over a weekend and we found
drugs in his coat pocket. He left home angry, didn't surface for many days,
dropped out of college, and lost contact with our family.
During that time he was arrested again for under age drinking, found himself living in
deplorable conditions, and had trouble keeping a job. He had many tattoos,
earrings, strange hair coloring, and odd clothing. Everything was putting a strain on
my marriage. I claimed Ps. 50:15 "Call upon me in the day of trouble, I shall
rescue you and you will honor Me." I began to pray, God change MY heart!
Help me trust that You have bigger things in mind for Josh someday. Use him
for Your purposes in Your time. Help me focus on Josh's heart, not his
outward appearance. (I Sam. 16:7)
Also during that two year period when Josh was away from our family, my father
died suddenly of a brain aneurysm at age 68. He was a wonderful, Godly man and
my sons adored him. I felt an overwhelming peace because I knew my dad was in
the presence of the Lord. But I also had a peace about Josh, and I started to smile
again.
I began to pray, God, what do you want to do with my life—how do I need to
change? That spring I started a mom's support group because I figured that other
moms must be hurting as much as I was. I called six women and they all came.
We shared our stories and prayed together—I was able to be transparent with my
life. It revolutionized my prayer life, and allowed me to reach out to others who
needed encouragement. I began to pray in a new way, believing God for big things
in the lives of these teens and young adolescents.
Josh asked to move home that spring—God, what should we do? He had been
involved in a variety of car accidents with totaled vehicles, and even motorcycle
gang situations. I was concerned about our younger son and the influence Josh’s
life would have on him
After a great deal of family discussion he came back. God, use my husband and I
as Josh observes our lives. He was no longer involved in the drug scene, although
he was still struggling with his value system. I prayed for the judge when he went to
court, asking for wisdom for his probation officer, and petitioning God to use the
people and circumstances that would make a difference in Josh's life.
On Easter Sunday in 2001 we had an extended family celebration to publicly
acknowledge that our prodigal son had returned. It was an emotional time for all
involved, but very healing. And God was answering more prayers by beginning to
use Josh. Josh talked about his struggles with his best friend, and led him to accept
Christ into his life
Josh is currently finishing his college degree in marketing and business, has a full
time job, and a serious girlfriend.
The mom's group is beginning its sixth year. I am amazed to continue to watch
God answer mom's prayers for their teens and young adolescents. I continue to
pray and ask God to work in the lives of both of my sons. During those long,
difficult years I witnessed many incredible answers to prayer. Those tough years
taught me so very much about trust and resting in the Lord.
I also learned to keep my sense of humor. (Sometimes I view my circumstances
unrealistically and I need to lighten up!) When I was willing to reach out to others,
I found love and support. Also, I learned to let go of the past and live in the
present. (Josh would tell you this part of his life is past history!) I am looking
forward to what God is going to do in the future, for He is an awesome God!
Carol Elliott has been a teacher and Bible study leader for about 28 years. She
has a passion for teaching women and a special gift for treasure-hunting in the book
of Proverbs. Both of her sons are college-aged now and doing well. Email Carol
Elliott
back to Hope Stories
© 2004 Dave and Merry Marinello, all rights reserved.
Welcome! Thanks for visiting our little "harbor" amid life's storms. We hope you
will find rest and encouragement in your struggles, big or small. Here you can:
will find rest and encouragement in your struggles, big or small. Here you can:
My Prodigal Son
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Hope is My Anchor
Strength for your soul amid life's storms
Strength for your soul amid life's storms