His Grandma Put Him In Jail!

Jimmy’s been at Helping Up Mission in our 12-month residential Spiritual Recovery Program almost 4 months. He saw his grandmother this weekend, the first time in 6 months.

Jimmy spent 15 years in pretty serious drug addiction. While it ruined many things in his life and severely disappointed his family, one thing he took pride in was that he never stole from family.

But one day he needed money and Jimmy stole a felony’s worth of stuff from grandma. He’s not exactly sure what he was thinking at the time, but it wasn’t really that big of a deal.

After all, it was just grandma!

Afterwards Jimmy was confronted by family about taking the money, but he continually insisted he didn’t do it. They didn’t really believe him, but even worse – if Jimmy didn’t take it – someone else robbed grandma, and that upset everyone!

The police were called and when they got around to questioning Jimmy, he finally cracked. If he’d just admitted to the family, it would have been embarrassing – but it would be over.

Now that the police were involved, things were different! Jimmy was arrested and went to jail awaiting trial.

Grandma didn’t want Jimmy to get convicted and do any real time…but she didn’t want him living like he was anymore, either.

She wrote the judge a letter and the prosecutor agreed. Jimmy plead guilty to a misdemeanor, got credit for time served and had to go to rehab.

He chose HUM because of the long-term focus. After arriving, Jimmy appreciated the spiritual focus because he said he was spiritually broken.

So this weekend, Jimmy made amends to grandma and it was a big relief. She’d already forgiven him…but he still has to pay back what he stole!

Tough Love…One Grandson at a Time,
Pastor Gary Byers
Deputy Director