One Life Touching Another

We heard so many incredible stories at the Summit.  There is one that touched my heart significantly…a story from our home Celebrate Recovery group who attended the Summit.  I just have to share this with you.

One of our group members broke down in tears during Jamie's testimony on Friday morning at the Summit.  As she wept she asked, "How did you arrange for somebody to tell my story?"  I told her, "God did!"  One year ago, my husband, Mac, did the eulogy for her husband's funeral.  This woman has continually been haunted with the demons of guilt and shame and has relapsed repeatedly. 

She pleaded to go to the Summit with us.  Two weeks before the Summit she relapsed again.  We already had her plane ticket and now struggled wondering if she should go with us.  We were concerned she may end up on the streets in Los Angeles or in jail in California.

She responded to an altar call at our home church worship service yesterday and said before the congregation:

"I'm so glad I got to go to the Summit because it truly was a life changing experience for me.  I have made so many bad decisions throughout my life.  All the times that should've been important in my life I was high; even at the death of my husband.  I've been trying to fill the hole in my heart with chemicals.  I just want to be a good person.  I want to be obedient to Christ.  And because I heard Jamie's story of hope and how she did it, I know I can too.  I know I've relapsed many times in the past few years since I've been in this church family.  My life has been a mess.  Thank you for never turning your back on me.  Thank you for allowing me to go to the Summit."

I'm still pinching myself, we get to be a part of changing lives for eternity!  Can you believe it?!  We get to keep encouraging each other until we go Home!

"God didn't set us up for an angry rejection but for salvation by our Master, Jesus Christ. He died for us, a death that triggered life. Whether we're awake with the living or asleep with the dead, we're alive with him! So speak encouraging words to one another. Build up hope so you'll all be together in this, no one left out, no one left behind. I know you're already doing this; just keep on doing it." I Thess. 5:11 (MSG)

There is hope for everyone! Who are you going to encourage today?! 

Your sister,

Mary