One of the most encouraging things happened to me today!
Vance, a staff member at the Garland Thompson Men’s Center, is a graduate from our New Life Recovery Program.
He was a MESS when he first came to us; but my, how he has changed because of Christ!
As I was leaving from lunch today, he came over and told me about a conversation he is having with his son.
His son is going through some health issues right now and Vance is showing me the exchange of text messages between his son and him which read something like this:
Vance: How are you doing with the pain? Be careful with the pills.
Son: No pills, pain is manageable, but I am getting sick because of medicine. It is really hard to deal with.
Vance: Do you Pray?
Son: Yes
Vance: Do you read the Bible?
Son: No
Vance then quoted John 1:1-4, In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind.
He explained how Jesus longs to be known, have a relationship with each of us and that we can know him by his word he left for us. He then told his son how much he loved him.
After reading the texts, he was wiping away tears and said: “I’m sorry, I just am happy that I am able to talk to my son about Jesus like this, and he is receptive.”
I have tears while I write this. I love seeing God redeem broken people like you and me. He adopts us into his family.
I can’t think of anything more beautiful than a father loving his kids the right way!
Joshua Smith
Heartland Hands Coordinator