I have talked about Bryan before (see my blogs on 11/26/09 and 6/28/10). He came to Helping Up Mission because his mother was involved in our 12-Step recovery group in Frederick. He agreed that he had no other options and decided to come here the next day. Bryan was assigned for his every day work responsibilities here as a chaplain’s assistant to me. So I got to stay close with him and see as things happened in his life.
Bryan did very well in his recovery and on his job. When he was eligible to go back to work in the community, things didn’t quite work out as planned and he just sat still and trusted God. In His time, things came together and Bryan actually got back to his old job at his old company. This weekend I had the privilege of officiating at Bryan’s wedding to his long-time sweetheart, Karen.
As I have talked with the two of them together about their future together, Karen said how pleased she was with the process Bryan had to go through as a member of our Spiritual Recovery Program. She could see the value of each phase in his recovery process and how it came together to prepare him to be the man he needed to be for the rest of his life.
Of course, our Program doesn’t change anyone. We provide the opportunity for a guy to sit still and listen to God. God will speak to him (and we all know He has already been!), then each man has to decide what he is going to do about what he has heard. God spoke to Bryan and he knew it. He got honest, open and willing and God continued to give him additional direction – always right on time. It is nothing short of miraculous – but what would you expect when a supernatural God is active in someone’s life.
One Day at a Time,
Pastor Gary Byers
Spiritual Life Director