Bringing Home The Prodigals
Rob Parsons
Reviewed by Charity R. Bartley Howard
The Bible’s Parable of the Prodigal Son is the inspiration for Rob
Parsons’ book, Bringing Home The Prodigals. The Bible story about a son
who turns his back on his father but later returns prepared for
punishment finding a loving father instead provides a straightforward
message of love and forgiveness. Parsons shows there is even more to be
explored and that this story is still relevant today.
This interesting book focuses, “on those who have children, of whatever
age, who are prodigals, but of course there are many kinds of prodigals
–brothers, sisters, husbands, wives, and friends. I hope with all my
heart that for whomever you are concerned, you will find something here
to encourage you and keep the flames of hope alight.” However, Bringing
Home The Prodigals is not just written to help individuals and families
deal with their own prodigals as the father did with his son. It also
deals with everyone’s relationship with God and asks readers, “to
consider the characters of our local churches. Is it possible that by
our attitudes, our concern with rules and regulations that are not on
God’s heart, or by our ingrained spirit of the elder brother (or
sister!) we have made it easy for some to leave? Perhaps we have kept
them out of mind while they are gone and tragically made it harder for
them to return.”
The author shares real life prodigal stories he learned over the years
at Christian events and through correspondences. Each chapter is
clearly written and the information is helpful allowing for a quick
read. He includes a prayer as well as a reflection at the end of each
chapter that someone dealing with a prodigal situation wrote. A poem by
Ruth Bell Graham is also included.
Even though all the chapters are well written, one of the best is
Chapter Six, “Releasing the Power of Forgiveness.” The main message in
this chapter is the importance of forgiving one another as well as
forgiving ourselves. He mentions that prayer and God’s help are
important on the path to forgiveness. Having forgiveness in life will
also help provide a happier journey. However, when the forgiveness is
needed within the individual it may be more difficult to achieve. This
gives way to Parsons expressing that praying to help forgive ourselves
is also needed. He writes, “We can pray that we will catch the Father’s
heart for the prodigals – the outrageous grace of the One who, even as
we stumble down the long road home, runs to throw a robe on our back,
put a ring on our finger, and put shoes on our feet. And if we do
change, if we can catch something of that father-heart of God, then it
may be that, in his great mercy, he will touch the lives of thousands
of our prodigals—and bring them home.”
Parsons hopes that Bringing Home the Prodigals will, “release us from
false guilt, bring us hope, and above all, lead us to prayer.” This
reading is interesting and examples relay the author’s thoughts
greatly. His efforts make Bringing Home The Prodigals a book perfect
for personal study as well as for a Bible class discussion. Yet, his
audience could be broadening if the Bible scripture for the parable, or
even the parable itself were included. While this parable is well
known, some might not be familiar with it or that don’t have an
understanding of the story. If these readers had the background, it
might enhance their experience of this wonderful and useful book.
Rob Parsons is a lawyer and family issues speaker addresses over
500,000 at various events along with his wife, Dianne. Care for the
Family is a charity he started in 1988 dedicated to Christian
compassion supporting everyone.