Tony’s avoided his family over the holidays the past 5 years. He didn’t want them to see him like he was and they didn’t really want to see him that way, either!
When he arrived at Helping Up Mission, he was absolutely destitute of hope. Tony can’t remember a single day when he didn’t use some sort of substance since age 13.
This week Tony hit 90 days clean. I remember how enthusiastically he announced here that he had been clean for 2 weeks – a big-time record for him!. Today, at 90 days, you can see joy and peace all over his face because he has found hope, answers and empowerment in spiritual recovery.
So this Thanksgiving the family invited him to come and he was thrilled to accept. It was a great family time and they were so pleased to have the “new” guy who joined them at the table. After 20 years of using – since 13 – they had not met this Tony before!
The family was delighted to make his acquaintance and invited him back for Christmas! Tony accepted. But he knows how it all works – one day at a time.
One Guy at a Time,
Pastor Gary Byers
Deputy Director