Awww The Good Stuff

I believe that I told you about a direct, incredibly tangible answer to a prayer that took place a couple of months ago.

However, I am going to repeat it.

When I found out that my therapist, Katryna, was moving - I panicked a lot.

A lot.

Not only was she the absolute perfect fit for me when it came to therapy and treatment, there was also a very real connection spiritually with her.

She and I share the same belief in God, His Son Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost. 

My treatment and recovery, therapy and life-changing skills has been very much spiritual as much as it has been developmental, emotional, mental, and even physical.

I had a sudden and very real fear that I would be losing the spiritual part of it.

The very week that I found out Katryna was leaving, a new couple was announced in Church.

When TR and Amber stood, I gasped out loud.

Now, the people in my congregation know me well enough to know that I'm not exactly reverent. 

I'm sassy and loud and feisty.

But after I gasped, I started to cry.

Sitting there crying after they announce new people in the congregation was probably a bit confusing to those sitting around me.

Nothing new, really.

TR and Amber had been in my recovery group twice before.

TR is a recovering addict.

Amber is his wife, who I kid you not is going straight to Heaven - whatever that is!

STRAIGHT to Goodness!

I remember being so taken by them when they would share in group.

These were my people!

TR is a big guy - very intimidating.

Amber is petite, more quiet - but holy moly does she have things to say!

I fell in love with them right away.

They are very well known in the addiction recovery community around these parts.

They speak in firesides often.

They are outspoken about TR's addiction, recovery, and what the loved ones go through when they are supporting an addict, and then a recovering addict.

And, here they were.

Moving into my neighborhood and my congregation.

Coincidence?

I don't believe in coincidences.

It was a direct answer to my pleas to God.

I spoke to them recently at a function.

I told them that it was probably my fault that they moved into the neighborhood.

They told me that they were taken aback when they found out they would have to move.

They prayed about where they needed to go.

And they knew it was into this neighborhood, but they didn't know why until I told them.

Welcome!!

They are now missionaries, and their role is to facilitate ARP 12-step groups.

Fast forward to this past Sunday...

TR and Amber were sitting on the stand.

Oh my goodness, I have never been more excited to have speakers than I was Sunday.

I couldn't wait for the rest of the congregation to listen to them!!

I smiled the biggest smile ever for the entire 45 minute meeting!

These people are real.

They are as Christ-like as they come.

They both spoke about TR's addiction, and about his recovery -

And not just the physical recovery of remaining clean, but the spiritual recovery...

The one where they realized that God never stopped loving them..

Because that's not a thing, People.

The one where they realized that He loved them all along...

That Church was still for them, that it always had been!

That recovery is so much spiritual, emotional, and mental!

That we have to learn to feel our feelings - they aren't dangerous!

That we are still worthy - our value never changes...

And TR ended his talk by saying this:

Our spirits are strong.

They are stronger than our bodies.

We just need to remember that our Spirit is in control, not our body.

Read that again and again and again.

We ARE our spirits.

We ARE our souls.

We just HAVE a body.

They invited EVERYone to attend ARP meetings.

I cannot agree more.

If you are an addict, attend them.

If you are not sure if you are an addict, attend them.

If you are a loved one of an addict, attend them.

If you don't understand addiction, attend them.

If you think you understand addiction, attend them.

ATTEND THEM.