Bringing Home the Prodigals Encourages Families to Leave Guilt, Judgment, and Regret at the Door

Bringing Home the Prodigals Encourages Families to Leave Guilt, Judgment, and Regret at the Door

DALLAS, April 15 /Christian Newswire/ -- A rebellious son turns his back on his family, breaks his father's heart, and pursues a path that can only lead to his own destruction-yet he cannot destroy his father's love for him. This simple parable has been called the greatest short story in the world. In Bringing Home the Prodigals (Authentic), Rob Parsons brings a fresh perspective on this narrative that, after 2000 years, still speaks to us today with the promise of new beginnings, the triumph of love and forgiveness, and the joy of reconciliation. For those who are grieving over their prodigals, this book offers the same message that has been a lifeline to so many: Let go of the false guilt-after all, God has trouble with His kids, too. Love them. Forgive them. And above all, pray.

As president of Care for the Family, Parsons has spent over two decades supporting families and has seen firsthand the universal nature of the parable's plot. "No matter where I go, I meet grieving mothers, fathers, siblings, and friends who are training their eyes intently on the horizon, clinging desperately to the hope that today might be the day their prodigal will return safely home," he says.

Parsons has brought a message of hope and freedom to thousands of people through the Bringing Home the Prodigals book and live events. He believes that prodigals are more likely to come home to their families and to the church when we become like the father in the parable, extending unconditional love and forgiveness to them, no matter how far they have fallen, how badly they have hurt us, and even when they don't yet feel sorry for their actions. Unfortunately, our knee-jerk response is often to echo the self- righteous, intolerant sentiments of the older brother. When a church body communicates this attitude, is it any wonder that their prodigals are reluctant to return?

The message of Bringing Home the Prodigals should catch the imagination of all who care about evangelism and church growth. "There is nothing as frustrating as seeing people come to Christ through the front door of the church and losing others in almost the same proportion out the back door," Parsons laments.

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