Words of a Prodigal

By Pamela Tutt and James E. Smith

The motivation behind "Words of a Prodigal" I didn't set out to write a book writing was therapy for me. My life of an incarcerated person is very difficult not only on the person but on the family as well. All I can do here is think about everything I have done was wrong and ask God to forgive me for my sins. I began to write about a piece on "Restoration." That God indeed is a God of Restoration. So I put the issues down on paper, as I was doing so God gave me a solution from his Holy word. Jeremiah chapter 29:11. It will be able to help others and future the gospel, so naturally I was going to be obedient. After years of so much promise, I didn't want to return to a life of disobedient that I was suffering from addiction. I have done well and I'm not going back to life that made me ashamed. Thank God for forgiveness and mercy through my repentance. I related so much to the prodigal son, in which would have never come to fruition.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Nov 19, 2021
• ISBN: 9781098034979

Book preview

Forgive Us All

I know I haven’t been the greatest

Like all the rest,

But I’ve been trying to do my best.

Oh God, I know you’ve been putting me

through the test.

I admit,

I confess,

we all do wrong

and then we feel alone.

But you’re the one person that

we can count on.

Between the two of us

You’re always there.

We often build a wall,

but in our life, we all take a fall.

With you by our side,

With every step we take,

We never make a mistake.

We stand up tall

Cause you forgive us all.

Pamela Bellamy Tutt

Inspiration

The Inspiration for Forgive Them All, I thought it was fitting to elaborate on this poem it helps me to get through a lot of tough times, struggle, and trails. It may seem like it the worst things that can ever happen in life, but I accepted it as a blessing. I hope this poem uplifts everyone and feel Jesus Christ present. When I was younger, I had lost a child. I didn’t intend on getting pregnant and without being marriage first and finding out that I was, it was indeed a surprise. I had begun to love the child, in which was a beautiful little girl after she was born August 26,1989. The doctor told me she wasn’t going to make it. I had become heartbroken and sad; I couldn’t understand how God would call her home, after I truly love my beautiful, sweet child. I had become angry at God and wanted to lash out and stay in that anger, though I later realize it was misdirected. I understand that it was not rational to blame and question God, at the time I was not rational. I understand we don’t want our love ones not to pass, be sick, or leave us behind. It took me places mentally that l definitely had to battle back from, I said to myself, I don’t drink or do drugs, so why is this happening to me. So as l lie in bed trying to sleep away my anguish and depression, I heard a voice waking me up at 6 am saying, It’s time. The voice came from an angel letting me know the Lord has taken my little girl home to be with him. At the time I awoke, I couldn’t cry anymore, I look up and l had seen the brightest most glorious star in the sky, the north star above the hospital. The doctor notified me that my baby had passed away September 23,1989. Everyone was crying, however I was at peace with God, because I knew she was at eternal rest with our savior. I had a contrite heart and sought forgiveness for my anger and harsh words to my Lord and savior, and I was cleansed from my sin by his holy blood, thank God. The follow passages gave me hope and comfort in my time of need because l know that our Lord Jesus will welcome the little children into heaven. Luke 18:16 says: But Jesus called them to Him said, Let the little children come to Me and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God. I’m sharing this because I want others to know that mental health is very serious; please don’t take it for granted. The suffering that we as humans go through is at time disheartening. I was inspired to write this poem to God the Father and left all my worries behind with the peace God has given to me; I can trust God and leave it in His hands. God is with us every step of the way; He loves us so very much and cares for us more than we can understand. Things happen so we can comfort others with the love of God and understanding, the same way Christ comforts us when we have experienced the same trials as others are going through. We are to love others as our Lord Jesus has loved us. We are never alone; he has promised in Hebrews chapter 13:5; Never will I leave you; never will forsake you. "We should take comfort in that and be there for those who are suffering. I hope others who are going through similar issues will be comforted and touched by my experience, and to know the love of God, and our Lord Jesus Christ is real.

Prodigal

Being my father’s only son, I can relate to the prodigal son. I was spoiled and blessed in so many ways. However, I did not acknowledge them because I wanted to gravitate to the streets. In Luke 15:17, when the prodigal son squandered all he had on pleasure, he came to his senses. I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, and am no more worthy to be called thy son’ (verses 18–19). But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet’ (verse 22). And they had a feast for him.

That is the love and mercy God has for us. He is not willing to have anyone perish but wants all to have everlasting life.

The beauty of the parable of the prodigal son is that all the angels and the host of heaven rejoice over one lost sinner repenting and being reconciled to God the Father through faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. As the Father explained to the other older son in Luke chapter 15:32. It was fitting that we should celebrate and be merry, and glad: for this thy brother was dead, and alive again; and was lost and is found. "That is the amazing grace of our God. Thank my God he was happy that the prodigal son has returned.

Judgment

In this day and age, it is difficult to admonish the sins of the person without judging them. The adage is love the sinner; hate the sin.

We must confront the sin to help the sinner acknowledge that they are in need of a savior.

Matthew chapter 7:1–2 says, Judge not, lest you be judged. For with the judgment you judge, you shall be judged. And with what measure you use, it shall be measured to you again.

Therefore, we must use empathy and compassion when we help others to repent and turn to God. Those qualities are united in love.

Our Lord Jesus talks about judgment further in Matthew chapter 7:3–5 And why beholdsest thou the mote that is in your brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in your own eye? Or how will you say to your brother, let me pull the mote out of your eye, and behold a beam is in your eye? Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam in your eye; and then see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother’s eye. So, we should not judge others, but love others. Admonish others sin without judging, to lead them to Christ.

The Apostle Paul wrote on Judgment, in the book of Romans chapter 2:1-4 it says; You therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge the other, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things. Now we know that God’s judgment against those who so such things is based on truth. So, when you, a mere man, pass judgment on them and yet do the same things, do you think you will escape God’s judgment? Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, tolerance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness leads you to repentance? This Scripture provides an excellent illustration of the type of heart that an individual shouldn’t have, a judgmental one, especially if the behavior/ sins we call each other out on, we are willfully practicing them ourselves. There is a difference between helping someone see the error of their ways if we are not doing the same things they are, we are grounded in right by helping them and our motives are right. However, we need to examine our motives for speaking on it, to make sure our motives right. We shall never want to come from a place of judgment instead of warning, and there is a difference. A father will warn a daughter, who desires relief from mental anguish and feels the only relief is self-mutilation. I myself have gone through those periods as a teenager. I have gotten through it with the Lord’s help. Now being that I have overcome that issue, I can better help her. There is no judgment there at all, I am simply warning her of the dangers and how there are other alternatives. The concept is the same. When we see others in the Body of Christ the Church, slipping into questionable behavior, it is the Churches duty if we care about them to lovingly warn them, to help steer them back onto the right road, the narrow road, that leads back to God. Our Lord Jesus speaks of the narrow road in the Gospel of Matthew chapter 7:13-14; Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow are the road that leads to life, and only a few find it. I have outlined the difference between warning (admonishing), and judging. Another note to realize as Christian believers there should definitely a difference in behavior than that of a non-believer. How otherwise, can a believer be a faithful witness of Christ if he or she behaves the same way that an unbeliever behaves. Being a faithless witness entails a difference in attitudes, behavior, conduct, as well as a loving and gracious spirit. Then what will happen is a non-believer will begin to wonder what has changed that person, so they will approach the believer and ask, Why are you different? That is the perfect opportunity to speak to that future brother or sister about Christ in order to help them see, how wonderful a salvation he gives us. That is why being an example for Christ is so very important and is part of every believer’s duty and we all should do it from a purity of heart. That was the Lord Jesus Christ’s example and we as believers should always follow him and the way he taught us how to live. Our Lord had never turned anyone away, even when he was exhaustedly tired, hungry. He always put others needs before his own. We need to do the same, live by the example of Christ. He warned others in order that thy would repent, he did so without judging. We can do the same. It is all about the motives and intent of the heart. If your heart attitude is right than everything else will fall into place. What example are you setting? Hopefully, it is Christ’s!!

Gratitude

In thinking of loss and grief, truthfully, instead of grieving for loss, everything is gained in the exceeding riches of God in Christ Jesus. In Philippians 3:8: I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ. Therefore, I have been given all things, since all things have come from God. I have an attitude of gratitude.

In recovery circles the saying that, A grateful addict does not use, Is absolutely true and applicable to my way of life. It is not what l do not have that l should focus on; However l should focus on the incredible amounts of blessings that God the Father has bestowed upon me, through faith in Christ Jesus my Lord so, l can publish with