Is this just another day in the life of….you? It doesn’t have to be that way. It is never too late to start again.
I have just recently started to take classes again. At 61 years old I decided to expand my horizons. I figured why not; we just moved 850 miles away from the life we had known since we were children. Beginnings can be hard, and you are not sure what to do or where to go. It can be a trying time for everyone.
I have really begun to take hold of my life and live life. I have raised my 2 daughters and have 11 grands. So, life can be very hectic. I traded in all the hub bub for a calmer life in the South. South Georgia to be exact. The only thing I don’t like are gnats. They get all up in your face, nose and mouth (swallowed a few; fresh meat. Lol).
God has given me a different perspective on how things work down here. My expectations have been shaken a bit and I have learned what it’s like to have friends. You know real friends that don’t judge you and take you for granted. I did have a few of them where I lived before, but only a few. Having a wonderful church family has been different for me (I don’t feel judged or ridiculed). I am used to feeling like everyone is looking at me because of the people I hang with (homeless, people with mental health issues, people with substance use issues). You see God has given me a heart for those that are hurting and are always left out.
My past is a testimony to that. When I was younger, I was the only one who did not smoke, so I started to smoke to be accepted. Then I was the only one smoking. I quit for my health; I couldn’t climb the stairs without losing my breath. I wanted to live for my grands.
They say that every test is a testimony in the making. Sometimes I wish mine wasn’t so testy (hehe). BUT GOD! The things I have been through have shown me that God has me no matter what goes on. I now lean on him more than ever. You are supposed to learn from your mistakes, boy did I learn.
It’s been 34 years without binge drinking, and in August it will be 17 years without nicotine. I look back now and there are times when I should have been in an accident or at least stopped on drunk driving charges but thank God I wasn’t. Drinking took me places where I would not have gone sober. I have been abused by men and women alike. In fact, I have been mentally, physically and sexually abused most of my life. Only by God’s grace am I here to tell you about it.
God has brought me further than I ever could have made it on my own. I am so glad that I have found my way back to God. You see I now see everything in a different light. I can now relate to others that are suffering because of my suffering. I can help people, because I have been helped. God gives us things so that we can help others. Do you think that I could relate to the homeless, unless I had experience it myself. Do you think that I could understand what it is like to give up a substance that you depend on, unless I had faced similar obstacles?
I have had people yell, cuss, spit, shove and berate me because of who I hang out with. You must understand that Jesus didn’t come to help the people that were well, he came to heal the sick and suffering. I love to watch people’s lives change because they turn their life over to the One and Only True Higher Power, Jesus Christ.
I now am The Ministry Leader for Grief Share and Celebrate Recovery. You see 850 miles from home, and I am still finding ways to help hurting people. What I do is not for everyone, but it is for me. Look where you fit in the equation and get in place. God will show you where you need to be and he will help you be there.
Healing takes time and no one does it alone. I have shared this numerous times, and I will share it here “If you don’t heal what hurt you, you will bleed on people that did not cut you.” Is it time you find your healing through Jesus Christ. Don’t wait another minute, he is waiting for you to reach out and take his hand. He loves you so much.
Reach out to a Celebrate Recovery near you. There are people there that will help you and love on you, no matter where you are in your journey.
Celebrate Recovery at Victory of Albany meets on Thursday nights. Doors open at 6pm and large group begins at 630pm. We are located at 3250 Sylvester Road, Albany, GA 31705. Hope to see you soon.