Lonely, afraid and lacking confidence, I was on my knees praying for my son Grant every night. He was drinking, smoking pot, and getting in trouble at school and with the police for years. Did God answer my prayers? What did He teach me about my son, myself, and how God works in our lives? Why did I sometimes feel that God was sending me "stones" instead of "bread"? "Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone?" (Matthew 7:9 NIV) This true life story affirms that the love of God is always available, even, and maybe especially, for those who doubt. It is a story of challenging answers to prayer that led to healing and rebirth for both Grant and me. Though full of apparent failures and disappointments, it will ultimately encourage parents of difficult teenagers and hopefully prevent them from getting lost, as I did, in the shame, fear, hopelessness, and debilitating anger that often come with parenting a troubled teenager. "The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit." Psalm 34:18 NIV
