If you do not know the story of the Prodigal Son, please go to Luke 15 and read it. Read it from The Message if you have it. If not, any version will do. After the son left his home, lost his inheritance, and had been reduced to a job feeding pigs (a terrible fall for a Jewish young man), he decided that he would be better off as his father's servant back home. He headed home, afraid of what would face him. BUT. . . .
Luke 15:20-24 "When he was still a long way off, his father saw him. His heart pounding, he ran out, embraced him, and kissed him. The son started his speech: 'Father, I've sinned against God, I've sinned before you; I don't deserve to be called your son ever again.' But the father wasn't listening. He was calling to the servants, 'Quick. Bring a clean set of clothes and dress him. Put the family ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Then get a grain-fed heifer and roast it. We're going to feast! We're going to have a wonderful time! My son is here—given up for dead and now alive! Given up for lost and now found!' And they began to have a wonderful time."
When I first began this blogging journey, my first acquaintance was with Diane at Partners in Prayer for our Prodigals. My daughter, Kristen, encouraged me to go "meet" Diane, because we had so much in common. I finally did it, and it has been a great journey. Starting with Diane and moving out in concentric circles, my life has intersected with so many other wonderful Christian women. It has been enriched.
But - back to the party! I'm sure you expected balloons and music when you came over here. Diane threw a party for me the first week I was blogging. You see, my prodigal son was coming home! He had been down a path of self destruction that could have caused his eternal and physical death many times over. But God never let him out of His sight!
My son, Kevin, and I have been doing a series of articles about his journey THROUGH drug addiction, TO God! We will be posting Chapter 4 in the next few days. Please stop by and see the glory of the Lord.
Kevin posts from his wife's blog, Twenty Eight Celsius. He has written three chapters so far, and I have countered with my point of view. If you have time and are interested, please go back and read his, then mine. Then come back for Chapter 4.
It has been a long journey. God has been so faithful. We praise His name! Please join us in our celebration! Come back soon.
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29 comments:
Looking forward to the next installment..
Love your borders you used here!
:)
Dawn, I don't know if I can type through the tears....the hair is standing up on my arms and neck and I am busy sniffing the tears aside! What a beautiful way to kick off your Blogging Party!!!!!
God is so good, isn't He! We knew that even in the midst of our desperate pain...sometimes the burden of the pain just clouds our connection. After meeting you, Kristen, Kevin, and Sema.....I don't think I'll ever let that happen again! The burst of God's providence and purpose, as evidenced by our connections through time and cyberspace, is simply too striking to ever forget again!
Blessings to you my blogging friend! THIS is a party I'm glad I did not miss.
Diane
Very well said and done, dear Dawn! What better celebration than to celebrate getting your son back!! Very much looking forward to the next installment...you truly are a beautiful family and I for one, am very glad you started blogging and that I started blogging and that we are now blogging friends!! lol xox
Hi Dawn,
It sounds as if we have lots in common. I have a son who also took this road, but PRAISE GOD, he got off that road and onto the RIGHT one. He is letting God use his life. He married and is now teaching sunday school at church. How good God is. His promises are true. By the way, he is a professional photographer and God is also blessing his business. How nice to know there are more of us mid life women in blog land. I will look forward to meeting more of them. I read some of your previous posts and saw the picture your husband took of the tree and the cloud. Awesome! So nice to meet you.
Beautiful post! I have a prodigal son too! but unfortanetly he is drifting again but hey GOD IS GOOD! HE IS ALREADY WORKING ON IT! great blog
Terrific and inspirational post.
There's no better reason for a party than this, Mom! I hope someone finds encouragement and hope in your ultimate blog party!!
Great party, Dawn! Hey, I think I hear music. Do you hear it? Sounds like a mother's heart rejoicing!
I am simply blessed to know you, Dawn. We both know that our meeting each other in real life is going to happen soon. Very soon. I just hope we manage enough time to sit down with each other over our coffees and really, really talk. xoxoxo
Wow! That really is something to celebrate. While I pray that we will never have to deal with this ourselves, it is good to see this inspirational story.
I am so happy that Kevin's story has a happy ending :-) That IS something to celebrate!
Hello Dawn! I came by because your name caught my eye! ;) Turns out we not only share a name, but a blog template as well! Great minds think alike!
I love your message and look forward to visiting again. (hugs)
Dawn
What a story! I have a couple of prodigal's myself (2 sisters). I would love to see them walking with the Lord. I keep praying!
Blessings,
Angel
Hello there! I'm with the Blog Party! Your site looks great. Drop by mine if you find the time..
It's so nice when our parties can be upgraded into true celebrations! I'll be tuning in for chapter 4.
I am so glad that you did start blogging and that I met you too! while met you here in bloggin land!
have a great weekend and wow the pictures you hubby took are beautiful!
Dawn, it is so encouraging to see God and how he worked and mended your family. You are all such an inspiration! I am so happy we have met and become friends!
Hello Dawn, it's a pleasure to meet you at the Party. It's good to meet so many that I might not usually come across. Thanks for dropping by at my Journal.
I can't think of a better reason to celebrate. All of heaven celebrated with you when Kevin came back home. I just know it!!
I like your new look. Very pretty.
I'll be back for the fourth installment. I love happy endings!!
Have a good sunday Dawn.
Oh, that is truly the ultimate reason to party, Dawn!
Hi Dawn, I have been catching up on your sons story today. What a story! I can't imagine the pain that you went through at that time. God is good though, He knew all about it and hopefully Kevin's story will help someone else going through the same thing. Now I want to read your daughter's story. Take care and keep blogging!
Hi again,
I was just over to your daughter's place and couldn't find her story, what is it listed under? I really want to read it. Thanks!
Hi, me again, I found your daughter's story and was glued right to it. Thank you for giving me the directions on finding it. Words can't express my joy in knowing that both your children are happy and healthy now. Thanks for sharing these incredible stories! God Bless!
Hi nince to meet you
I am interested in reading your sons story thanks for telling us about it
Certainly THE reason to celebrate. Bless you and your family.
Oh, I found you while party hopping.
I'm so happy for you that your son has "come home."
If you will, please pray for my son, Jason who's an alcoholic and is definately on the wrong path.
Just wanted to let you know that I found you via the blog party. :-)
Have a good day!
Love,
Jennelle
The best reason for a party. Your story and Diane's gives me hope that I too someday will be throwing a party for my prodigal.
A great reason to celebrate! And so nice to meet you!
So glad your son returned to you. What a powerful story he has to tell now.
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