Before I came to the Mission, I was homeless, living in my car, and cycling between pills and alcohol – the pills to get through the day and the alcohol to fall asleep at night. I was also chain smoking. I was 25 years old, and on a road to nowhere. Some talk about a feeling of hopelessness – well, I can tell you what it feels like to feel “lower than a snake’s belly”.
I had no sense of purpose, no motivation, and a real awareness that I was wasting my life. The worst part for me was believing that God had given up on me. It seemed clear to me that I had gone past the point of no return with God. I felt empty, confused and just so lost.
Then I came to the Westminster Rescue Mission. That’s when I started to realize how bad and destructive the isolation had been. I started to realize how much God uses other people to help me, and how much I need people in my life. I started to feel motivated by what I saw others doing; I thought if they can do it, so can I. I started to gain a sense of purpose back into my life.
At about 5 or 6 months into the Program, I finally came to the place where I realized that I needed to set aside all my doubts and regrets. I needed to move on. ****
I have recently graduated from the Mission Program. I will carry what I have learned there forward into my life. What I have learned is that God is gracious, and God’s people are the best people to hang out with – they build you up and keep you moving! I have a new purpose and a new perspective. My perspective has changed from glass half empty to glass half full. There is much to enjoy in life without drugs and alcohol, like playing the piano, or playing softball. There is a God-given purpose for living and only a healthy lifestyle will get me there. I am thankful for the chance to “put off the old self and put on the new man.” (Ephesians 4)
I was inspired by Philippians 3:13-14 —
Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.