Watching the Wayward

Walking in the wake of your beloved prodigal's devastation can leave you shell-shocked. Wendy Gorton Hill knows, too well, that indescribable agony. Her heartfelt prayer poems express the anguish she could barely utter after discovering her teen's drug use. With authentic vulnerability, these psalms cover the vast emotions you may experience – embarrassment, helplessness, uncertainty, fear, guilt, anger, regret, and despair. These powerful poems are paired with supplemental scripture and journaling questions.

Walking in the wake of your beloved prodigal's devastation can leave you shell-shocked. Wendy Gorton Hill knows, too well, that indescribable agony. Her heartfelt prayer poems express the anguish she could barely utter after discovering her teen's drug use. With authentic vulnerability, these psalms cover the vast emotions you may experience – embarrassment, helplessness, uncertainty, fear, guilt, anger, regret, and despair. These powerful poems are paired with supplemental scripture and journaling questions. "Watching the Wayward" can serve as individual devotional, support group discussion starter, or corporate worship liturgy. Hill's words offer profound identification and persistent hope. They pinpoint the best weapons for battle – scripture and prayer. • 62 prayer poems – Gut talks with God from the trenches • 519 supplemental scriptures – Further biblical backbone supporting the psalms • 168 journaling questions – Opportunity to interact and personalize the journey

Wendy Gorton Hill woke to the sound of running water. Following a path of household disarray, she discovered her glassy-eyed, 15-year-old son, in the bathroom, "measuring the sink". Despite an intense love of words, she sat speechless. Neither her upbringing as a pastor's kid nor her background as a high school English teacher prepared her for her new parental identity. When the words finally poured from her molten heart, she penned Watching the Wayward, her first book of poetry. A 2000 graduate of The Institute of Children's Literature, Wendy writes about reading books and raising boys on her blog at www.ofbooksandboys.blogspot.com. She lives in a farmhouse outside of Indianapolis, Indiana, with her husband, sons, dog… and a yet unmeasured sink.