Parenting

My dad recently came home from a writers’ conference where he picked up a book and a new DVD for us to proof for our children. The book was entitled [amazon 1595551220] by the creator of Veggie Tales, Phil Vischer (more commonly known as the voice of Bob the Tomato). Before reading the book, I looked at the DVD case which was entitled . While I was cautiously excited that Phil Vischer had created a new company called Jelly Fish Labs, I was also concerned. It looked as if the series was going to be a really low-budget, thrown together show. Instead of computer animated characters It featured puppets that didn’t look especially engaging—at least to an adult. That wasn’t my only concern, however.

I confess that, more often than not, I am a Veggie Tales fan. I’ll even admit that I’ve watched Veggie Tales video without children present and have actually enjoyed the experience immensely. However, nobody has to see many episodes to realize that Veggie Tales is a bit lacking in spiritual depth. The show teaches good biblical principles to children in a creative, funny, and clean way that’s entertaining for everyone—so I am not complaining. I own many of the Veggie Tales stories and frequently hum some of Larry’s Silly Songs. Plus, Veggie Tales DVDs reinforce the values and principles that my wife and I are teaching our children—and our children really enjoy them. But, honestly, how much insight into Scripture could my kids really glean from a Bible-overview from the Veggie guy?

Margie Lewis should know how it feels to be the parent of a prodigal. She is one of them. Co-written with her son Greg Lewis, The Hurting Parent gives hope and encouragement to the parents of prodigals. In this updated edition the Lewises tell the rest of the story of Margie’s son Mark, her prodigal.

In chapter one Lewis recounts the hurt and shame as well as the questions that bombarded their hearts when they realized that they had a prodigal son who had left them. Mark was in college and nearing the end of the semester when he left with almost no trace. When he was found, he wanted nothing to do with his family. So many questions go through one’s mind at times such as this. But Lewis writes, “It is not the purpose of this book to try to answer the ‘What did I do wrong?’ or ‘Why did this happen to us?’ questions…. [Parents] need to know ‘Where do I go from here? What can be done?’” (p. 29).

Chapter two deals with something that even those who are not parents of prodigals should consider: the feelings of isolation that parents of prodigals experience. It is natural to feel left out when others speak glowingly of all that their children are doing and doing well. It is natural to feel completely alone. Sometimes people pull away from these hurting parents, too, not knowing how to deal with them. Hurting parents need help and support. “Many hurting parents have talked to me about the isolation of their shame.” The Lewises add,

Shamed parents use similar words and expressions to describe the feeling: embarrassment, humiliation, inferiority, incompetence, disgrace, loss of face. Often they express fear of rejection, disrespect, disapproval, contempt, and even pity from the people around them who witness their struggles. (p. 33)