If you would have told me ten to fifteen years ago that I would be where I am today, I would have told you that you were crazy. In my mind, I didn’t fit the stereotype of someone who had an alcohol problem and would be in the addiction recovery program at Union Mission.
I grew up in a loving home. My father was a pastor and my mother was a saint! I had the foundation and the basic beliefs instilled in me, and I knew that faith was important. Right after high school I went into radio and broadcasting. I worked in sales, marketing and management of radio stations for over twenty years. I had the nice home and was successful by the world’s standards, but inside I was empty. My main focus was being successful in the business world and maintaining my image in the public’s eyes. This went on for thirty years with no consequences.
I rode this wave until I couldn’t anymore and everything came crashing down. I was drinking a lot and alcohol became more important to me than anything else. I had the world in the palm of my hand and I lost everything. I tried different treatment centers and they were very helpful, but I would get so involved in helping others that I wouldn’t focus on myself. It was during this time that I was growing in my faith, and I craved a deeper relationship with God.
I literally found Union Mission’s recovery program by googling it. When I came here over a year ago, I knew that I needed two things. The first was a long-term treatment program and the second was a faith-based God-driven program. I came here empty and scared and I knew the only way this would work is if I surrender completely. Once I did, things began to happen.
I have learned so much about myself and my relationship with God during this program. I love the book Same Kind of Different As Me because that is what we are here at Union Mission. Everybody’s journey is different but the end result is the same.
While in the program, I had one central theme and that was to be still and wait on God. I have never been good at waiting and it was the first time in my life that I didn’t get ahead of God or interrupt His plans.
I have now realized that throughout my life God has been preparing me for His purpose. Since graduating the program, I have interned at the mission and am now working as a chaplain. I spent over four decades telling people about things that really didn’t matter. Not that they were bad things but now I am telling people about what really matters. God has been preparing me for this.
I have learned that there is a difference between happiness and joy. Happiness can happen briefly and be gone, while joy can be with you all the time.
Treatment facilities can teach you to be sober but Union Mission’s Addiction Recovery program can change your life. I am living proof of that. Today, he is restoring my life one day at a time.
