Rocky - May 2020

"When it gets in my head, I can't get it out." Those are the words of an addict describing what happens before he uses again. I spoke with him recently sharing every trick and tool I had to help him the next time he's apprehended by the thought. But then I went deeper. What's going on in the background that you need to drown out? For most addicts, it's not just the pain of the past, it's also the guilt of the past. I know many people who believe Jesus has forgiven them of their sins, but they continue to relapse. Why? In part they haven't gotten a hold of the truth that Jesus didn't just die for our sins. He became sin. (2 Cor 5:21.) He didn't just take our penalty. He took our guilt, too. That's freedom and Rocky got a hold of it. 

"Alcohol was always present when I was growing up. My dad…my grandpa... and I became a heavy drinker by my mid-20s. I had a job, a wife and a family, but eventually I lost everything.  And after a brief stay at Watered Gardens, where I just went through the motions but didn’t change, I ended up staying at a friend's trailer, drinking my days away. A heat stroke coupled with dehydration put me in the hospital, and once released, I went back to that trailer, sat outside under a tree, and heard what I believe was God saying, 'What are you doing with your life? It's time to change this.' I walked straight back to Watered Gardens that very day. 

"This time, my stay has been different. I'm a man of God now, and I'm really applying myself to the pursuit of a better life. I'm sober, employed full-time, and I'm saving money for a place of my own. I've also reconnected with my aunts and my siblings. I'm grateful for this place and these people. I thank God for working in me to be better today than yesterday." 

Rocky has embraced his new life and the outcomes are astounding; restored relationships, a job, savings and sobriety. I'm thankful God has called you into partnership to impact lives now and for eternity.