John

“In my mind I was all alone – stricken with a malady which no one understood. Who could help me?

I grew up feeling as though I had nothing in common with anyone around me – including my family. Yes, I participated in all the things families do, but I always seemed to have some sort of block which kept me from ‘fitting in’. I began school and tried to find ways to integrate, but they ended in disappointment and frustration.

At the age of thirteen I discovered that I could escape from reality by altering my mind. It began with marijuana and beer, but soon progressed to harder drugs.

By age 24 I realized that everything I thought my life might be, all of my potential, was gone. I was a drug addict going nowhere.

I spent the next nine years looking for answers, but I was looking in all the wrong places. I tried to change my appearance, my surroundings, and even my job. All was futile!

During those years I remember the encouragement of my mother, as well as others around me, who advised that I look to Christ for the answer to my ills. But I didn’t want to hear it because, as bad as I felt, I thought things would just ‘work themselves out’.

When I turned 33 I had a series of events take place in my life which revealed my true self, not just to me but to those around me. I was forced to ask for help! I turned to the Lord, promised my life to Him, and He delivered me. For the first time in memory I had a reason for living, and He gave it to me.

What a blessing! I began to see the value of friendship, and through the prayers and fellowship with others I began to realize the love that God had for me. He allowed me to become the person I always wanted to be, and gave me hope for a future beyond any of the dreams I had for myself as I was growing up.

If I can give you one piece of advice, it’s this: Don’t give up.”