Recovery - NFS

For the last three years my husband and I have been involved with a church called "Recovery Church".  Every Thursday night the church meets on the campus of a sober living facility.  A meal is provided, someone who is in recovery from drugs and/or alcohol will give their "story of hope" and then a minister brings a short devotional.  The guys present are from all socio-economic statuses, various ages and cultures.  There are those who have been homeless and those who have come from very wealthy families.  They are all present because they want sobriety, they choose to be free from their addictions and they are working out their sobriety as best as they can.

I have learned a lot about addiction during this time.  I know that addiction is chronic, often relapsing despite the harmful consequences to the addicted individual and to those who love them.  The reasons why a person might start taking drugs are varied but after a very short period of time, the brain changes and that change will challenge a person's self control and his or her ability to resist the impulses to use again and again.  The brain becomes "fooled" into thinking the drugs are as essential as food or water.

I have seen men who have found sobriety through the 12 step program and through Christian based programs.  One important part of their healing is the comradery and encouragement found in support groups.  Being with others who have been exactly in the same place.  I am always touched by the love they have for each other, it is deep.  They hold each other accountable and also hold each other up when someone has  relapsed because they know the depth of the struggle.

Recently, I was asked to paint two paintings.  One depicts a man who gave his time and expertise to starting a farm at a particular Recovery site to provide work and food for the inhabitants of the facility.  Not only did he provide this service but he provided friendship, love and concern.  He was such an example of Christ and compassion that he touched many.  A compassion that came from his heart unsolicited.

The second painting is one of a young man who strayed away and returned.  He was not met with condemnation but with love and encouragement.  The kind of encouragement that only those who have walked in his shoes could give.....totally unconditional.

During the three years we have been involved in this ministry, we have also seen too many deaths.  The disease takes the lives of young men and women every week.  It is epidemic and it takes a miracle to find healing and wholeness once the person is in the throws of the disease.  But miracles do happen.  I heard a man in recovery say that he believed in miracles because God had turned crack cocaine into groceries at his house.  He had delivered him from years of pain, low self esteem and bad choices.  He said he was broken.  The scriptures tell us in Psalm 34:18 that "the Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit."  His testimony was that only God could do that.



Each week when we ask for prayer requests at the service, there is one young man who requests that we continue to pray for those who are still "out there" - those who have not found the way into the rooms where sobriety occurs.  That is my prayer for those who are battling addiction.