I had been a disciple for about a year and a half and had hit a slump.
I had been a disciple for about a year and a half and had hit a slump. I was going through a very emotional time and couldn't understand why I wasn't growing spiritually. As a matter of fact, I thought I was losing my mind. One day, my sister-in-law asked if I would be her CR partner (in those days, it was known as CD, chemical dependency). I said yes, and was I in for a surprise! I sat and listened to the teacher explain "what are the characteristics of an addict". I thought he was talking about me! Everything he said seemed like it was taken out of my life story.
I was actually going through withdrawal symptoms and didn't know it! |
I realized that I was an alcoholic and addicted to cigarettes. You see, I had been living in denial all my life! Now I understood why I was in the slump I was in and why I was going through such emotional turmoil. I was actually going through withdrawal symptoms and didn't know it! To me, an alcoholic was a bum in the streets. I didn't know you could be a functional alcoholic.
I was very enlightened that day and decided I needed the group for my own recovery. I think I am an exception when I say that I loved going to CR! Of course, I graduated and have been back many times since my graduation to help other women. I was even helping out with the group for a while. I love this ministry and I am looking forward to one day being a CR leader.
I am happy to say that I have been a disciple now for over eight years, as has my husband, and every year that goes by brings many different challenges. I thank God for every challenge that I overcome, without thinking of running to alcohol, and depending only on Him. I thank God also for Mike and Brenda Leatherwood who started this group. Mike has been such an inspiration to me. Listening to his testimony moved me to tears and the strength that God has given Brenda is such a blessing.
Presently, my husband is very sick with leukemia and I ask that all who read this story will ask God to give me strength to hang on to my sobriety that I have fought so hard to keep for the past eight years. I know that you don't know who I am, but God does, so please keep me and my husband in your prayers.
God bless all of you and remember James 1:12, and to God be the glory!
(On January 1, 2001, this sisters husband was called home, to be with the Lord.)
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day--and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing. 2 Tim 4:7,8
© 2001-2004 ChemicalRecovery.org. Names and places have been changed to protect identity. May not be used without written permission. |