I'm reading SUCH a good book: Engaging Today's Prodigal

[Julie Y]

As you may recall, we went through a crisis in April when our daughter turned 18 and went off the rails for a couple of weeks. Eventually she returned home but, since then, we have been struggling to find a comfortable ground between our desire to protect her from herself and her own desire for independence. I find myself irritated with her a lot.

This week, she is gone to church camp -- not because she has any interest in God right now, but because she will take any opportunity to get away . I can't really blame her; it was a relief for me to have her gone and to get a respite from the push-and-pull that is currently our relationship.

That's all the background to say that the book I just started reading, Engaging Today's Prodigal by Carol Barnier, is quite literally an answer to prayer for help in changing my attitude. I read a lot of books about prodigals during dd's April crisis -- and they were all good -- but this one just really hits the spot right now. I'm not sure how helpful it would be for a mom of a 13 or 14 yr old getting into trouble, but it's really good for the parent of an older teen or young adult. It's helping me to see how I can "let go and let God" be the primary force in my dd's life (whether or not she recognizes/acknowledges Him at work in her life).

I hope I will be able to hang onto this new perspective once dd gets home from camp. I have a feeling this is a book I'll be reading and re-reading.

Anyway, I am only half-way through but couldn't read another page without coming and sharing about it here in case someone else needs some encouragemnt with their prodigal.

[Marcia]

Thanks Julie. I just ordered it for my kindle.

[Julie Y]

I was just thinking you would enjoy it, Marcia -- not because you have any prodigals, but because it also talks about how to accept that our children's values and worldviews are not going to be exact replicas of our own, and encourages us to accord our children the respect and courtesy we would any other adult, even if we disagree with their views. Since you have children entering the adult world, I thought you could relate.

[Joy in Alabama]

Thank you, Julie. I will look for it.

Anna is 17, but is struggling so much to be an adult. We are different - like different things, have different personalities (or maybe we're too much alike! ), and sometimes we don't like each other very much. She's been made an assistant manager at ChickFilA and is stressed and trying to work on her (not-so-good) communication skills, which would be helpful with her relationships at home, as well.

Just last week, I was talking to dh about my relationship with her and how I know it's not all her, it's me, too. I know my attitude needs to change, but it's so hard when she irritates me by her actions and non-communication. She wants to be different from her sisters and sometimes I think she purposely has the opposite opinion from the rest of the family just to be different, not because she really believes that.

Anna is not a prodigal - she loves God and is trying to do His will. Your post got my attention because you talked about changing your attitude. I think I'll try to read this book and see it has some help for me.