03 | Pouring Out & Still Failing w/ Jackie Prevost

She poured out everything she had- and still felt like she was failing.

In this powerful and personal episode, I sit down with my grandma, Jackie Prevost, to share a story from one of the lowest seasons of her life as a mom of seven. Several of her kids were making destructive choices, and she felt powerless, hopeless, and heartbroken.

This conversation is for every ministry leader, parent, or faithful follower who has loved deeply… and still wondered if it was making a difference.

We explore:

• What it’s like to feel like you’re losing the people you love
• How surrendering your outcomes to God changes everything
• A testimony of redemption that only God could write

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Connect w/ me:
lisa@irisstorytelling.com
https://irisstorytelling.com

Transcript

I think that’s incredibly encouraging for any parent going through a really tough time where they feel like they just want to give up. They’re helpless.

They do feel like giving up. Right—giving up.

I’m going to be interviewing my grandma, who is now 90 years old, and she has wisdom and experiences to share that we can learn from. I just have this passion to help you tell more stories in your ministry but also inspire other believers to share their personal stories—of how they’ve come across a challenge and how God has brought them through it, or how it’s affected their relationship with the Lord, brought them closer or further away. All of these things can really help other believers grow and learn. It’s just so incredible what God can do through our stories.

So I am excited. I’m excited about it, and I encourage you to think about how you could share a story like this to build the faith in your community and increase your donor support. I was reading today in Ephesians 4:29: “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” And that’s what I think about when we share our stories—that it’s going to build others up and it’s going to benefit those who listen.

As my grandma tells her story, you can either let it encourage you and just kind of get into the story flow, or you can also listen to how the story is guided. It’s very intentional in the structure. We start with the setup—kind of setting the scene. Then we go into the main conflict: the problem she faced. Then it leads into the journey—how she tried to overcome that challenge. Then comes the resolution—how the challenge was overcome, what ended up happening. It doesn’t have to be a perfect fix. It’s just what the result was. And then finally, it ends with a call to action—something to leave the listener with, maybe something to think about, to do, or a challenge. You want to end the story strong.

Without further ado, let’s get into it.

Before we get into the story today, let me introduce someone really special to me—my grandma, Jackie Prevost.

And you’re… Are you 91?

Ninety. Ninety, okay. Ninety years old. So a long life, well lived.

Welcome to the podcast. You’re the first person I’ve actually interviewed on the podcast.

Good morning.

So, tell us a little bit about yourself, just so people can kind of get to know a little bit about your personality and your character.

Well, I’ve always known the Lord. Both of my parents were deeply spiritual people, so I never recall a time in my life that I didn’t know the Lord. You don’t appreciate what a blessing that is until you’re older. You just take it for granted, actually, that everybody is that way.

I’m a nurse. I remember thinking—everything you do, if you have faith, is reflected in your work. So that was always important to me.

And you have how many kids?

We had seven children. That made a big difference in our lives, of course. My husband is deceased, and I’m now living with my daughter and son-in-law, who very graciously offered me a place, which I deeply appreciate. I’m not a big fan of assisted living areas.

Yeah. And you’ve got this amazing view, you know?

Yes. I always wanted to live on a lake, and I didn’t expect it to happen when I was in my 90s. So I feel very, very blessed.

Let’s get into the story we talked about. Set the scene for us—what year was it? What was your day-to-day like? This was before internet and cell phones, right?

My husband was in college when we were first married. Before he finished, we had two children and one on the way. But I had finished my education and became a registered nurse. After he finished as an engineer, we moved to California for his first job.

I worked just long enough to make a down payment on a house, and then I didn’t work for ten years. With a large family, it was a challenge. Then we had medical and dental expenses, so I went back to work part-time. I never went back to work full-time.

I met people—some of my friends at work weren’t Catholic like me, but they were still very deep Christians. I made some very good friends, and the common denominator was our faith.

By this time, you had all seven kids, right?

Yes. And when the kids were growing up, there were difficult times. They got into being quite worldly, even though we thought we were doing a good job as parents. But they hit those teenage years and started doing their own thing. They were choosing people who weren’t the best influences.

We had moved from one city to another, and the new community was very cliquish. The kids didn’t feel accepted. And of course, it’s always the wrong crowd that welcomes in the new kids. It was a struggle—a challenge even in our marriage.

Can you dive into what the struggle was? I think a lot of parents struggle with teens, but what you were facing seemed a bit deeper.

Our two oldest kids were doing fine until marijuana first came into the high schools. They both got into it. They stopped doing much at school, but I didn’t realize it at first. Then they became rebellious.

The school system didn’t help. One son didn’t go to his civic classes all semester, and we weren’t notified until right before graduation that he wouldn’t be able to graduate. I was angry. They should’ve said something sooner.

The whole stress of drugs, marriage strain… it was a lot. And my husband and I didn’t always see things the same way. I recognized the problems before he did. That was another challenge—convincing him how serious it was.

How did it affect you as a mom?

I called out to the Lord—probably in a more desperate way than ever before. I had always known Him, but when things are really hard, your prayers become more intense.

Watching your kids go down a destructive path is devastating. It challenges your self-confidence as a parent. I asked myself: What did I do wrong? What can I do to change this?

We tried counseling, but the kids weren’t interested.

It was especially hard because marijuana was illegal then. Jail was a real risk. And the influence they had on the younger kids was concerning.

Eventually, we gave them an ultimatum. After high school, we told them they couldn’t live at home if they were going to continue using drugs.

Before we get into that part, can you tell me about the Florida trip again?

I don’t think my husband realized how bad things had gotten. One day, I just left for Florida to shake him up a little. I left him a note and went for a week. I never considered divorce—I don’t believe that word has a place in marriage. I just wanted him to see how serious things were.

It must’ve been such a stressor for you both. How did that play out?

We didn’t fight a lot, but we definitely needed better communication. I told him he didn’t understand how difficult it was—for the kids, and for the younger ones watching their older siblings ignore all the rules.

How did it affect the younger kids?

There’s something about sin that appeals to our nature. Some of the younger ones weren’t affected too much, but others experimented. Even they admitted later that as long as they were around certain friends, they couldn’t quit. The influence was strong.

Eventually, one son chose to change his life. The other didn’t. The one who changed had a deep conversion experience and even saw the Lord visually. It was a major turning point—and an answer to many prayers.

The other son moved out with a group of people involved in heavy drug use and free-spirited living.

Did things start to change in your marriage, too?

Yes. We had always worked on our marriage, but we joined a church program focused on communication and deepening your commitment. That helped a lot. But really, you don’t have the strength to endure something like this without the Lord. He gives you what you need when you don’t have it in yourself.

What did the Lord teach you through it all?

He drew us closer—to Him and to each other. And He helped us see each other’s needs more clearly. When you have a large family, or any family, the needs are constant. You don’t have the strength to meet them all on your own. Only the Lord can do that.

Looking back, we learned how much we needed Him in everything.

We also began mentoring engaged couples at our church. That was something we never could have done without going through what we did. But God used it all.

I don’t know what my life would’ve looked like without faith. It was hard enough with it. I don’t know how people get through it without the Lord.

You, God, and your spouse—that’s the team. Without Him, no wonder so many marriages don’t make it.

When you shared that ultimatum with your sons, that was a big moment. And if you hadn’t had that moment—hadn’t obeyed God—that might have changed everything. That son who changed? That’s my dad.

And I’m here because you followed the Lord.

No, you’re here because of the Lord.

Yes—but He worked through you. Through your obedience.

He certainly works through parents. And He never gives you more than you can handle with His help.

He really can do so much through any of us. Even through the hardest seasons.

Yes. That was the lowest point in my life, but so much good came from it—eventually.

Your own faith is such a personal thing, but I think it’s important to share the challenges too. Every parent has them. And we all need the reminder to persevere. The Lord hears our prayers—even when it doesn’t seem like it.

Absolutely. And we all want quick results, but it usually doesn’t happen that way.

Although when your dad finally made the decision, he changed quickly. He went on a retreat with that street ministry group, and from that point on, he was different. He later went into ministry himself.

That’s amazing. What was your reaction?

I remember telling the Lord, “Thank You for putting him where he is.” Even though I would’ve preferred he stayed in our church, I knew it wasn’t my call to make.

It’s such a powerful thing to watch your child truly come to know the Lord. Every person has to make that choice for themselves, and as parents, we can only guide and pray.

As I parent my own kids and face those tough seasons one day, I’ll remember this story. I’ll remember to persevere and keep trusting that God is still working—even when I can’t see it.

Yes. Perseverance and trust. That’s what Scripture shows us over and over. The Lord is faithful.

Even if it takes time. That transformation can still come.

Absolutely.

Thank you so much for sharing your story—and for being on the podcast.

You’re more than welcome. I just hope those listening don’t give up on their kids.

From the day they were born, I gave them to the Lord. And He is faithful.

Not on our timeline—but faithful all the same.