The Young Prodigal's Song 1972 | Rodney Wood, Chaplain to The Louisiana Legislature

[@RodneyWood50]

Dear friends, It has been almost FIFTY-THREE YEARS since I wrote this song while sitting on my bed looking out the window of my second floor apartment on Highland Road in Baton Rouge. The song initially was one of great sadness because I was heartbroken over Becky, but my strumming was suddenly interrupted by a deep, powerful reminder of what God had done in my life in the previous months. Then new lyrics began flowing from my soul. And the chords flowed along with them. When I stood up, I knew it was a song that would never be changed. Soon after that I performed my song at a Campus Crusade for Christ meeting in Pleasant Hall at LSU - Louisiana State University. That night my friends and former teammates Tommy Casanova and Andy Hamilton encouraged me to record it, but I knew that there was no way for me to do that. I later taught my sons to play the guitar, and they and my Bec often heard me play my song in private. But for a very long time, I have not even played in private very much. The four of them even pooled some money and bought a beautiful Taylor guitar for me to try to get me to play again, but it didn't work. I was secretly discouraged that I would not be able to play to any decent standard again. However, through the years, I have wondered if, before leaving this world, I might be able to record it in some relatively simple way. But in the late afternoon of Friday, October 29th, I received the call that I had been diagnosed with tongue cancer which would require extensive surgery. The surgeon said that it would involve the reconstruction of my tongue from tissue from another part of my body and that I should not anticipate that I would ever again be able to articulate my words as I presently do. The surgery was scheduled for Thursday, November 14th. I knew that I had to pursue the possibility of recording my song immediately. I told no one, not even Becky. I started playing my guitar daily, hoping that I could do it in a way that she would not suspect anything. I sought the guidance of my friends Johnny Palazotto and Jim Hogg. Jim then connected me with singer-songwriter and recording studio engineer Nelson Blanchard (since 1997 keyboardist and vocalist with the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame band LeRoux) who very graciously agreed to help me record my song. THANK YOU, NELSON! Before going to the recording studio on Friday, November 1st, I drove out to play and sing with Jim Hogg and his very talented son James Linden Hogg. It was a tremendous day of enjoying our music before the Lord together. JIM and JAMES LINDEN, I can't tell you how much I enjoyed that day! It was JIM HOGG who created this video from video clips and photos he took on that Wednesday and during our recording session on that Friday in Nelson's studio. THANK YOU, JIM! Walking into that studio was an unforgettable experience. Although I did not tell Becky where I was going, I did tell her that it was going to rank in one of my top five adventures in life. And boy was it! I pray that you will be blessed by this song of a young, twenty-one year old prodigal. More than anything, I pray that my love story with God will be a source of hope for a prodigal and for parents or siblings of a prodigal. With much love and deep, deep gratitude to God for each one of you, dear friends. Rodney

[@Christine-h1b]

Thank you for your generosity! Your dedication to help save souls is awesome!

[@Christine-h1b]

Dear Brother Rodney, You are a beautiful man with great talent. I received from my cousin the audio of your song My Brother My Friend. It put me in tears automatically, and it is now a very important song to help me. You have a special way with that song, the emotion is strong and it's difficult to put into words how powerful and impactful it is - warmth, comfort, as well as poignant recognition of times we are down low and in great need - those are sensations from your song. I'd love for you to put it on youtube, and you could do it with sweet images if you are unable to sing for the camera for a long time. I am praying for you especially now because I recall your surgery is scheduled for tomorrow. Prayers for immense healing and strength. May God guide the hands of your surgeon and may your Guardian Angel stay really close to you for the entire hospital stay.

[@dbrumfield911]

Rodney, I am a good friend with Jim & the Hogg family; was Jim's roommate at La Tech. He shared with me your story & recorded song. Great job & a wonderful example of love among God's family. I sent you a fb message re getting lyrics. Blessings to you! David

[@RodneyWood50]

@@Christine-h1b @Christine-h1b Christine, thank you so much for your wonderful note of encouragement. It means so much to me. Every single word. I do plan to put My Brother My Friend on KZbin. I also recorded a number of other songs during the 30-40 hours that I spent in the recording studio during the days leading up to my surgery. I greatly appreciate the prayers that you have prayed for my surgery and for my healing. Your prayers were (and are) greatly needed. I am at home now. I cannot adequately express my gratitude.

[@Christine-h1b]

@@RodneyWood50 Dear Brother Rodney, I want to share something that has occurred to me as I have continued to listen to your amazing song, My Brother My Friend. I hear Christ singing through you. I know the song means that you, yourself, will be the brother and friend to the lonely, but I also hear that God is saying it, that he will be our brother and friend. It's hard for me to describe, but as I listen to you singing it, it's like I am hearing Jesus say those things. You are gifted by God with so many graces. You have helped my cousin Tom of Baton Rouge for years. Your loving him is what led him to bring me to you. I pray that God keep you and your family safe and at peace.

[@canyayasis]

Quite extraordinary…. Congratulations and God’s hands on you during this next phase of your life…..

[@hankhenagan8671]

Bro. Rodney, Great Song and Singing It. Yes What a Great Testimony and Song! Keep Singing & Recording! You Didn't Miss A Note! Love it! Homer "Hank" Henagan.

[@FatherEddieMartin]

SHOOOOOOOTTTT! So many talents, so much Spirit, so much Faith, all in one body! Beautiful, my brother, Rodney. Thanks be to God for this gift and may it touch many just as you offer in your final comments. Harmony on the Amazing Grace wasn't half-bad either!

[@berylamedee2497]

Beautiful! I agree with your prayer Bro. Rodney, that the song the Lord gave you will now go out and the message will resonate with all those who want to come back home, drawing them to our Savior who loves them!

[@pricemackenzie70808]

❤❤❤this! Praying for your recovery and healing in the upcoming weeks!

[@janastafford495]

Prayers for you and Becky as you face this difficult time. Praise the Lord for giving you this blessing!!

[@donnesrealestate4547]

What a beautiful song, May God Bless you and praying for a speedy and full recovery

[@OfficialGailTV]

Hello Rodney, it’s Gail Moore. Just wanted to commend you on a great song. Your voice is fantastic !

[@TheRickdoggie]

Awesome Brother Rodney!! What a wonderful song and testimony. ❤✝

[@jefflamb452]

Rodney is a good man, faithful in his ministry and work for Christ. Pray for he and Bec as he has surgery today and healing to come.

[@jimmygraves4953]

Rodney, thank you for sharing that song and what a message it is to me and so many others! God used you in my life in the early 80’s at Louisiana Tech University to set me on a life changing journey with Christ. Thank you for answering Gods call on your life and for investing His word and love in men like me. Forever changed and set free! My prayers are with you buddy that His grace, healing and strength will carry you through.

[@RodneyWood50]

Jimmy, thank you so much for your note! It is amazing to think that it was over 40 years ago that I was blessed to meet you when you were a student at LA Tech. I give thanks to our Lord for all that you have done in the restoration of the most needy areas of the City of Shreveport. You have been an example to all the rest of us of giving oneself to those whom our Savior calls "the least of these My brethren." Thank you for your. prayers, dear friend. And thank you for the decades of friendship we have known!

[@cathswanson1492]

dear Rodney didn't know you could sing so well!! Wow! This comes with so much love from Kenya - especially remembering you on Nov 14, and all our prayers for healing and health for many years to come. Be blessed and may you continue to be a blessing to many! love to you and Becky ! Cath and Tony

[@RodneyWood50]

Cath and Tony, thank you so much for your note. And thank you for your prayers! I am at home now. The days of recovery have been pretty challenging, but I am making progress because of the prayers of dear friends like you. As I close this brief reply, my mind is filled with many treasured memories of times with you (2005-2015) in Tanzania! I pray that you are experiencing great blessing there in Kenya. Much love to both of you from Bec and me. -- Rod

[@Christine-h1b]

Dear Bro. Rodney, My cousin Tom shared this with me, and I thank him so much for sharing it, although my face is filled with tears! Your song, voice, and guitar talents are enormous! You give us so much strength in our own journeys. Your rededication to get back to the guitar and your youthful song are inspirational to us all. I am someone whom you help enormously. You said in your article: "I pray that you will be blessed by this song of a young, twenty-one year old prodigal. More than anything, I pray that my love story with God will be a source of hope for a prodigal and for parents or siblings of a prodigal." You and your song are a blessing for me, and you are a "source of hope for a prodigal" -- ME! God bless you and keep you and your family. I pray for your peace and strength, and for your family's peace and strength. And I congratulate you on your phenomenal accomplishment. God works through you, and you let him - thank you!!!!

[@RodneyWood50]

Oh Christine! Now that I am at home, I have just now read carefully read your comment. How wonderful! I cannot tell you what this means to me! Your words have touched me far more deeply than I can describe. I just now told my wife: "I've just now heard from my first prodigal!" What a blessing! Christine, I am praying for you right now that our Lord will guide you in every step you take and give you wisdom and courage to go forward with Him and His people in everything that He calls you to do. Philippians 1:6 "For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus." Go well, my sister in Christ! Go well!

[@Christine-h1b]

@@RodneyWood50 Thank you so much for your sincere and earnest response. I will treasure your prayer for me. And the quote you gave me is a gift. But most of all, I am going to treasure your special words of grace-filled encouragement to "go well" and that will bolster me in times of weakness. Bless you and your family.