The Unexpected Treasures of Down Syndrome with Jillian Benfield - a podcast by MARKINC Ministries

Do these words haunt you: "Mom, Dad, I don't want your rules and morals. I
don't want to act like a Christian anymore! And I'm not going to," Barbara
Juliani (then Barbara Miller) made this declaration at the age 18. As her
father desperately attempted to reason with her, Barbara grew more
resentful, choosing a path of immorality that only deepened her parents'
pain.

Such a declaration from a child, no matter their age, creates havoc and
soul-searching in the hearts of their parents, who often ask, “What did I
do wrong?”

In this conversation with Sharon Betters and Jane Anne Wilson, Barbara
Juliani shares her story and addresses some of the ways parents take on the
guilt of their children and responsibility for their decisions. You might
be surprised by some of her conclusions. Her dad, Jack Miller wrote:

"I am not ignorant of human depravity," writes C. John Miller, "but I had
long denied that it could exist in our family." That reality, however,
forced him to confront his own sin, seek forgiveness, admit his inability
to change his wayward daughter, and begin loving Barbara on God's terms.

In their book, Come Back, Barbara, "Jack" Miller and Barbara Miller Juliani
chronicle their journey from grief and conflict to joyful
reconciliation. Come Back, Barbara is thus an irresistible portrayal of
God's grace to the Millers and us all. Our conversation with Barbara
reminds broken-hearted parents about the freedom of experiencing such grace
in the midst of their child’s rebellion.

Help & Hope Story: Motherhood, Shame & Guilt with Barbara Juliani and Jane
Anne Wilson

For more about Barbara’s journey as a prodigal child, check out Come Back,
Barbara. Come Back, Barbara

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