A happy 4yr old

It takes a brave man to admit that he needs help. Donald is one of those men.

Donald is a recovering addict that celebrated his 4th year of sobriety. Sunday night I was given the privilege of telling his story and introducing him at a local AA meeting. It was a beautiful moment when I handed him his four year chip.

Donald used to be homeless. He was addicted to alcohol and crack. That experience and his recovery have given him an amazing platform to share God’s love to many other homeless individuals who live through the same nightmares.

Donald is clean, sober and living in an apartment. He volunteers at his church and with us on Friday nights. His church is providing him with dental care to give him a new smile. He gives glory to God for the great things He has done.

Biblically speaking, we all need to admit we need help. We all fall short of God’s glory (Rom 3:23) and must recognize that we cannot do this alone. We need each other and we need our higher power. Donald met his higher power through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

I personally wish more churches looked like AA meetings. (except for the smoke and burnt coffee) AA provides a place where individuals can confess their sins and seek refuge amongst a group of like-minded people in recovery. We need the group dynamic in recovery. I love the words on the podium at the AA meeting in the picture “but for the grace of God.”

That’s what I love about my church. I can admit that I’m a sinner and that I need God every day to help me overcome my selfish will. Whenever I get dazed and confused on priorities I get pointed back to the cross. That’s why we all need a good church.

Find a place where people love you for who you are and love you in spite of what you have done.

How can Donald maintain his “anonymous” status if I am posting it on our blog? Donald is very exited about this milestone, shares it with everyone he knows, and gave me permission to share it with you.