Ruth Hendrickson: "A Word for the Prodigals: It's Time to Come Out of the Dung Heap!"

God woke me up the other night as He proclaimed, "It's time to come out of the dung heap." As the proclamation went forth, all of Heaven stood and looked with great expectation.

The Porch Light is On

I have a friend whose child, going through a difficult season, left home and went the way of the world. The parents left the porch light on every night so their precious child would know that they were welcome home. What they didn't know, at the time, was that this child would occasionally go past the house during the night to see if the light was still on.

God has the porch light on for the prodigals, and has declared that it is time for the prodigals to come out of the dung heap. For some of you it is your child/children, for another it is their spouse, for someone it is a parent, and I sense for another it is a very good friend who is like family.

Many of His children have believed the lies of the enemy. They are much like the prodigal son who "...packed up all his belongings and traveled off to see the world. He journeyed to a far-off land where he soon wasted all he was given in a binge of extravagant and reckless living" (Luke 15:13 TPT).

The Heart of the Father: Come Out of the Dung Heap

There is a cry going forth, a great cry for these precious children, and it has reached the Father's heart. The tears have been collected and the scales have been tipped. The Father declares, "It is an excellent season to bring the prodigals home." The porch light is on and the gate has been swung open wide.

Don't be surprised if you feel repelled by the "stench" of the lingering sins from some of these precious ones when they come home. Do not despair and do not be repulsed; do not be afraid for you carry the presence of the Living God. In Luke 15, the Father embraced his son and then the son was made clean. Lean into God for wisdom in the process.

Wisdom in the Process

Be aware of the trap of the enemy to beat yourself up for your self-proclaimed failures. The loving Father will overwhelm our shortcomings and failures with extravagant love.

"And if anyone longs to be wise, ask God for wisdom and He will give it! He won't see your lack of wisdom as an opportunity to scold you over your failures but He will overwhelm your failures with His generous grace." (James 1:5 TPT)

I hear the Lord saying, "Look to Me for wisdom as the prodigal returns. I am imparting creative strategies from the Throne Room of Heaven to break down the walls." He is imparting new ways of relating, speaking truth, and encouraging. Family dynamics will shift as a new foundation is laid. Look up and feel the wind—the wind of the Spirit is not just blowing, but it is a roaring wind. It is taking back the ground and blowing away the debris and the stench from the dung heap; it's blowing in a new season. Step into the wind of the Spirit.

Turn Tears to Joyful Expectation

"But now this is what the Lord says: 'Do not weep any longer, for I will reward you,' says the Lord. 'Your children will come back to you from the distant land of the enemy. There is hope for your future," says the Lord. 'Your children will come again to their own land.'" (Jeremiah 31:16-17 NLT)

The season for mourning has passed, so cast off the garment of mourning and put on the garment of praise. It is time to rejoice and declare the goodness of God over the prodigal's life.

Like the watchman on the wall be fully alert. You are not watching for danger, you are watching for the return of the prodigal.

How We Can Step into the Wind of the Spirit

• Move from a season of tears into a season of joyful expectation.

• Intentionally remember the God-given gifts that the prodigal carries and proclaim those gifts over their life.

• Ask the Lord to give you His wisdom and creative ideas—be prepared.

• Stand on the wall and watch! "Leave the porch light on."

• Join in the rejoicing! Zephaniah 3:17 (NLT), "For the Lord your God is living among you. He is a might savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With His love, He will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs." (To Subscribe to the Elijah List subscribe here.)

Ruth Hendrickson
Ruth Hendrickson Ministries
Email: ruthhendrickson.org@gmail.com
Website: www.ruthhendrickson.org

Ruth Hendrickson is a conference speaker, ministry trainer, board certified counselor, and served on the pastoral staff at a Spirit-filled United Methodist Church for over 13 years. In addition she is a course facilitator for Patricia King Institute and an ordained minister with the American Presbyterian Church. Ruth has extensive experience in the development, training, implementation and oversight of Emotional Healing Ministry Teams, Recovery Ministries, Prophetic Ministry, Prayer Ministries and Women's Ministry. She is passionate about training, equipping, and releasing individuals to walk in wholeness, healing (both physical and emotional) and freedom. Ruth's understanding of various denominations allows her to easily cross denominational boundary lines. Ruth and her husband Mark live in reside in Stockton, NJ.

*************************************