The Unfolding

What do you do when your child walks away from everything you've raised them to believe? 

For Suzanne and Alan Happs, that question became deeply personal when their son told them, "I'm not exactly sure I believe any of that anymore." What followed was 13 and a half years of praying, waiting, questioning, and learning what it really means to trust God with someone you love. 

In this episode, Suzanne and Alan share: 

What it felt like to watch their son deconstruct his faith  


The mistakes they made, and what they wish they had done differently  


How they learned to love without controlling or pushing  


What sustained their faith through years of heartbreak and uncertainty  


The moment everything began to change, and the powerful way God brought their son back  


If you are praying for a prodigal child, a loved one who has walked away from faith, or someone who feels far from God, this story will meet you right where you are. 

Next week, don't miss Part 2—Jake Happs shares his side of the story. What led him away from faith? And what ultimately drew him back to Jesus? 

  

Show Notes:  

Suzanne on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/suzanne.happs 

Praying for Your Prodigal book:  https://www.amazon.com/Praying-Your-Prodigal-Kyle-Idleman/dp/1434707717 

Share about your Unfolding story here: https://bit.ly/UnfoldingStories

"Put on your helmet." Susan had a picture in her mind for her 22nd birthday: a new horse, a sunset ride, and a beautiful moment she would never forget. But right before it began, a voice interrupted her plans with a warning that would save her life. 

BONUS: Hear Susan's daughter's short story on Apple Podcasts or Spotify

What if the way you see God, isn't actually true?  Jon Acuff grew up in church, but for years his relationship with God felt more like pressure than connection, and that shaped everything. In this episode of The Unfolding, Jon shares how his faith became personal in the middle of real life- marriage, responsibility, and the pressure to figure things out. As God began to reshape the way Jon saw Him, it changed the way he saw himself, his fear, and his calling.  Jon is a New York Times bestselling author known for books like Soundtracks and All It Takes Is a Goal. His newest book, Procrastination Proof, grows out of his own story- the years of knowing what he was called to do, but struggling to step into it. If you've ever felt stuck, unsure of your purpose, or like you're waiting until you feel ready, this conversation is for you. 

Show Notes: 

 

Website: https://jonacuff.com/ 

 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorjonacuff 

  

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jonacuff 

  

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/authorjonacuff 

  

Procrastination Proof book: https://www.amazon.com/Procrastination-Proof-Never-Stuck-Again/dp/154090380X 

  

Share a story idea for The Unfolding: https://bit.ly/UnfoldingStories

Alicia Barr was sitting at a women's conference, half listening to Annie F. Downs, when something happened that felt far too personal to ignore. Alicia had been living in secrecy and pain, and in that moment, God interrupted her life with mercy. In this Unfolding Short Story, she shares how that moment became the beginning of truth, healing, and freedom. 
Alicia is the author of More Than a Secret.

What does it look like to trust God when your marriage has been devastated, and you don't know what comes next?  Brad and Heidi Mitchell share their story of walking through infidelity, broken trust, and the long road toward healing. After Brad's affair, their marriage faced a season that felt overwhelming. But in the middle of that pain, God began to do a deeper work, one that neither of them could have imagined at the time. In this conversation, you'll hear how they navigated repentance, forgiveness, and rebuilding communication. Their story is a reminder that even when a marriage feels fragile or fractured, God is still present and still at work. Today, Brad and Heidi lead Build Your Marriage, where they help couples grow stronger in their relationships and faith. They're also the authors of Ruined to Recovery, written for couples walking through betrayal, and Build Your Marriage Through Prayer, a practical guide to strengthening your marriage through prayer. 

Show Notes:  

Instagram. https://www.instagram.com/buildyourmarriage/ 

Build Your Marriage Through Prayer book: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1734158883# 

Ruined to Recovery book:  https://www.amazon.com/Ruined-Recovery-Help-Affair-Discovered/dp/1734158824/ 

Website: https://buildyourmarriage.org/ 

Facebook:   https://www.facebook.com/buildyourmarriage