“…but, she’s an addict”
12February 6, 2013 by Caroline
I get it.
I was sheltered, blah blah blah. I haven’t ever spiraled into worldly darkness at the mercy of a bottle nor have I ever hung out with people who have.
Maybe that’s what keeps a steady hope hanging out under my eyelids. Maybe that’s why I’m pushing against the callouses people wear around like fashion in this line of work.
“Go to rehab? She’s not going to rehab – 100 bucks says she used this morning and she’ll use tonight.”
“He used once? No, he’s an addict. Addicts don’t just use once.”
“They’ve been clean for 10 years, they said? Still addicts.”
The conversations are circular because I want so desperately to believe that people can change, that they can tell the truth, that they can love their kids more than they love their addictions. But people in this line of work have watched people never change, never tell the truth, and always choose their addictions over their children.
So, experience says I’m foolish and green and too wide-eyed.
I get that.
And I don’t want to be foolish about my hope. But, there is one thing I wish was more culturally acceptable to introduce into conversations about addicts.
“…but, she’s an addict.”
“But, have you met my Jesus?”
And so I pray. I pray that things work out differently – for softened hearts and humble spirits. I pray for the addicts who are helpless against their vices. And in them I see me. I see the human condition. I see that we need Jesus. And so I pray.
Caroline
I’ve seen them change! (I’ve seen them not change too), BUT I’ve seen the power of Jesus!!!
Keep praying in faith…Our God is Mighty to Save!
Thanks, Kaci! I think it’s about believing not because there is evidence but because God is magnificent. Some days are harder than others
There is always hope with faith and kindness. To save one life is a miracle. I enjoyed your logic and blog.
Thanks for reading and for the encouragement!
Caroline, I am praying along with you. Just this week at the staff meeting @ Bethany we watched an excerpt from a Jim Cymbala study “When god’s People Pray.” A hopeless heroin addict whose life was changed by God who used people like us to pray for him, speak truth in love to him briefly and never give up on him! God has you in the job you ‘re in because you will do that for some and they may have stories to tell of HIM in their future!!
Love you.
Thank you for your prayers! The Lord hears and answers and puts death in its grave with the power of Christ. I’m claiming His mercies today while saying “this, too, shall pass.” Thanks, friend!
You make an excellent point and I admire what you wrote. True lasting change comes from having Jesus working in our life. I too have not had such experiences, and I thank God He spared me from that struggle. But, we all have things we need to change about us, all have fallen short of the glory of God.
Thanks for your thought provoking post!
Thank you for reading and for your kind comments. You are so right – lasting change comes in and through the person of Jesus Christ!
Hard not to become jaded when you see these situations daily. But I certainly agree, our God is bigger and we cannot limit Him and put Him in a box.
Amen! God is bigger than anything we can see (and things we can’t!). We just have to hold on to His promises – believing that what He says is true. Thanks for your thoughts, always!
I love this. My dad was addicted to pain killers and because he’s a nurse began stealing from work. He ended up leaving his family and losing his job. But since then I’ve seen Jesus work in him. He is amazing and so so big
Wow. Sounds like you’ve had a crazy ride and your dad has certainly experienced the power of addiction. It is so unbelievable to witness God’s power breaking the powers of this world! Thanks for sharing!