This month, in celebration of crossing two goals off my blogging to-do list, we are looking at the Parable of the Prodigal (Lost) Son (Luke 15:11-32).  This summer I wrote a 5 Day Devotional for the Prodigal Daughter, a free gift for you (click here to receive it) and I wrote my first book.  Yippee!!  Keep your eyes open for Prodigal Confessions: 10 Principles the Lead Us Back to the Father (coming out in November).  I am so excited!!  I hope to add a study guide for the eBook soon, as well.

In celebration of all this wordiness, I want to feature some of my favorite bloggers, giving us their take on Prodigal Living, a life drenched in God’s lavish Grace. My friend, speaker, writer, teacher and blogger Mindy Hopman.  IMHO, she is as wise as she is beautiful!  You’ll see…read her heart here:

• Name two or three emotions you feel as you read over the parable of the Prodigal Son.  How does this story engage your heart?

Grace-filled mercy and love.  Redemption.  The story of the Prodigal Son fills my heart with gratitude.  The Prodigal Son knew the goodness of his fathers mercy and love, yet there was something in his heart that kept him from being content.  God had to deal with an aspect of his heart before he could be completely devoted to God and his family.  The Heavenly Father had to take the son somewhere in order to get him exactly where He needed him to be.

There was a time in my life when I had it all, but was not completely content.  God had to take me down a road to get me exactly where He wanted me to be.  I am grateful for the power of the Holy Spirit that did not let me stay in a place where God did not receive honor and glory.

“Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!” Psalm 139:23, 24 (ESV)

• What kind of Father is God, in your eyes?

God is a loving, caring, kind and just Father.  He always wants the best for us, just as we want the best for our own children.  However, he reproves and corrects us when needed – as we do for our own children when they wander astray.

• What advice would you give to your own Prodigal Son or Daughter?

God loves you regardless of where you are, or where you have been.  He loves you because He created you with an everlasting love.  Nothing you can do can make Him love you more.  Nothing you can do can make Him love you less.  He loves you just for being you.  He wants to be found by you completely, and you will find Him when you search for Him with all of your heart.

“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:11-13 (ESV)

• In Matthew 22, Jesus calls us to love God first and then to love others before ourselves.  Which is easier for you, loving God, or others?

It’s much easier to love God because I know He knows what He is doing, even when I cannot understand His ways!

“For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55:9 (ESV)

However, I love others, even when we disagree, because they are His specific creation. I continue to pray and reach out to those who do not know the depth of His sacrificial love – regardless of how difficult it is sometimes.

Mindy’s Jewish heritage combined with her love for Jesus Christ drive her passion for helping women and youth understand God’s immense, unconditional love. When God’s saving love is understood, the relationship is restored, and His children shine radiantly.
A combination of life experiences and education {Master’s degree in Religion & Christian Leadership and a Master’s degree in Education} prepared Mindy for her roles as teacher and speaker in women’s ministry, as well as to serve alongside her husband, Jon, at an international day & boarding school.

Mindy loves to run, read, boat, paddle board, kayak, and fish with her family. Mindy and Jon have two children of their own, and many children whom they love as their own from helping to raise them in the school environment.

From church, to school, to sports – life is busy and fast, but together they lead a radiant life for One by Basking in His Light daily.