Lori Wildenberg - Messy Journey: How Grace and Truth Offer the Prodigal a Way Home

This book is perfectly titled. Its not called Perfect Destination. I love that Lori doesnt give us a formula for dealing with prodigals. Rather through her book, Messy Journey, Lori beautifully, humbly, and strategically shares her journey with her prodigal and bits and pieces of others experiences too. No matter why you have a prodigal, if you want to support someone who does, or if you are a prodigal yourself, this book will encourage you. There is hope in these pages!

Dr. Kathy Koch, founder and president, Celebrate Kids Inc.

This book is a beautiful balance of the real-life mess of loving a prodigal and the steadfast truth of Gods Word. I will be recommending this book to many in the years to come.

Dr. Juli Slattery, cofounder, Authentic Intimacy

Lori has given her readers a gifta glimpse into her most vulnerable times. Loris daughter Courtney has done the same. This book will be balm for those who are weary and wounded and comfort and encouragement for those who love them.

Mary Heathman, founding director, Where Grace Abounds Inc.

Messy Journey will feed your soul, give peace to your spirit, and empower you to step into the messy journey with grace and truth. You are not alone.

Jill Savage, founder of Hearts at Home, author of 11 books, coauthor of No More Perfect Kids

Lori offers biblical truth, courageous steps, and reassuring hope for the parent who is watching at the gate, waiting for their beloved child to come home. A must-read for anyone who desires to grasp the journey of a prodigal son or daughter.

Laura Petherbridge, speaker and author, coauthor of The Smart Stepmom

For parents whose children have broken their hearts by breaking from family values, Lori Wildenberg offers empathy, sympathy, prayerful guidance, practical advice and, most importantly, godly hope. Timely and nonjudgmental, Messy Journey encourages hurting parents to share the best remedytheir love.

Patricia Raybon, author of Undivided: A Muslim Daughter, Her Christian Mother, Their Path to Peace

If youre dealing with a prodigal child, this book is a comfort. Lori includes true stories from dozens of people, prayers that can be personalized, and a detailed account of her own struggle. She doesnt give platitudes but instead offers candid snippets from not only herself but her daughter as well. If I were dealing with a child gone astray this would be my roadmap.

Lucille Zimmerman, licensed professional counselor and author of Renewed: Finding Your Inner Happy in an Overwhelmed World

In reading Messy Journey, I felt I was sitting with a good friend who really understood. So many words met me right where I am on this journey and confirmed my faith and trust in a Sovereign Lord.

Kathie Hamby

Life is messy. Many parents and families are confused and in pain. Theres nothing more comforting than someone willing to share their messiness and make themselves vulnerable, which truly brings glory to God and freedom to the hurting.

McKrae Game, president, Hope for Wholeness

Lori Wildenberg has written the words that a parents shattered heart feels but that they cant articulate, and in doing so, shes created a safe place for parents to breathe. Lori offers hope, practical next steps, and biblical wisdom for parents of prodigals. This is a resource that every parent whose child has strayed from the expected path will want to have on their nightstand, but its also a book for youth and family pastors, counselors, and support group leaders.

Vicki Tiede, speaker, author of When Your Husband is Addicted to Pornography: Healing Your Wounded Heart, and mom

Messy Journey provides insight and encouragement for the prodigal, the family, and those trying to support the family. I hope so many can learn from this. I pray that this book brings healing, love, and reconciliation to many families.

Nina Hinds, prayer warrior, business woman, and mom

If you are the parent of a young adult and identify with the father in the parable of the prodigal son, this book is for you. Loris openness, vulnerability, and practical helps will guide your heart and thoughts to our Heavenly Father who has so many prodigals of His own. Rich with Scripture, helpful suggestions, and others life experiences, you will feel loved, supported, and encouraged.

David and Claudia Arp, international speakers, authors of more than 30 books

If your experience has been that life is messy and isnt wrapped with a tight bowthis book is for you. If you are looking for someone who will openly share insights from all perspectives of a modern-day prodigal journeythis book is for you. Along with other stories, Lori and her daughter Courtney share how they hold to conflicting values while staying in relationship and seeking to discern Gods truth. This side of heaven we are all prodigals trying to get home.

Kirk Weaver, founder and executive director of Family Time Training, international speaker and author

Messy Journey offers plenty of great insight for all parents dealing with a prodigal.

Dr. Scott Turansky, cofounder of the National Center for Biblical Parenting, coauthor of Parenting Is Heart Work

This book gives hope for the long haul and honors the tough and tender sides of a mothers heart that is hurting.

Scott Kingry, program director, Where Grace Abounds

Messy Journey is full of real-life, heart-wrenching stories, prodigal son and daughter stories, with amazing real-life God answers. I was moved to tears as parents and children shared their hearts. In this rapidly changing world we, as Gods children, need to understand and live Gods plan to its fullest.

Dave Moore, speaker, chaplain, and author of The Fathers Love: Amid a Frantic Search for His Son, A Father Finds His Faith

Lori offers substantive hope and help. Messy Journeys content resonates with credibility. This book not only gave me encouragement and endurance in my parental journey, it also reminded and revealed the Fathers heart for me with fresh vision. And then I felt the urge to run to my own sons again (Luke 15).

Larry Renoe, teaching pastor, Waterstone Community Church

messy

JOURNEY

How Grace and Truth Offer the Prodigal a Way Home

by LORI WILDENBERG

BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA

New Hope Publishers

PO Box 12065

Birmingham, AL 35202-2065

NewHopePublishers.com

New Hope Publishers is a division of WMU.

2017 by Lori Wildenberg

All rights reserved. First printing 2017.

Printed in the United States of America.

No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any meanselectronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwisewithout the prior written permission of the publisher.

New Hope Publishers serves its authors as they express their views, which may not express the views of the publisher.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Names: Wildenberg, Lori, author.

Title: Messy journey : how grace and truth offer the prodigal a way home / by Lori Wildenberg.

Description: 1st [edition]. | Birmingham : New Hope Publishers, 2017.

Identifiers: LCCN 2017000236 (print) | LCCN 2017001619 (ebook) | ISBN 9781625915238 (permabind) | ISBN 9781596699762 (Ebook)

Subjects: LCSH: Parent and child--Religious aspects--Christianity. | Parent and adult child--Religious aspects--Christianity. | Families--Religious aspects--Christianity. | Child rearing--Religious aspects--Christianity. | Parenting--Religious aspects--Christianity.