Evidence That It Works

Philippians 4:7
And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

He walked into the room yesterday, only to be met with shouts and screams of "Happy Birthday!" It totally caught him off guard, standing there speechless yet with a huge grin on his face. Family and friends had gathered together to celebrate his birthday. Yet this gathering held more than the acknowledgement of one more year in his life had come and gone.
You see, he has almost 7 years clean time. I believe that next March will be his sobriety birthday.

As I sat there taking in the sight and sounds of the room, I began to realize that such a thing would never have been possible if God had not touched this man and he, in return, had not answered God's call.

Had he not taken that step toward God, there would not have been any friends. Family would not have wanted to be around him because we all know that when someone is in the deep throes of Addiction, they suck the very life out of everyone they are around. 

If the man had not changed, the family could still have celebrated his birthday, but it would have been hollow and empty. A charade if you will propped up with fake smiles and false platitudes. All the while, addiction would be sitting in that room like an elephant. No one would want to admit it was there, but you could not mistake its presence. They would simply have gone through the motions of having a party, but the emptiness and darkness of addiction would have defined not only the one who uses, but every member of the family who has been wounded by the addiction in the mans life.

During these years of sobriety, God has given back to this man. He is now married to a wonderful woman and the two enjoy each others company. There is a completeness to them both as they have found peace with God, and in their separate lives which has enabled them to live as husband and wife. They have learned to trust God and to love each other.
The man regularly states that the greatest thing given to him by God has been peace. 

So we hugged and we sang "Happy Birthday" (more than once) and we enjoyed a wonderful meal. The room was filled with laughter, yet the greatest gift of all was the one we came to celebrate. A life that had been rescued from a place that some never return from. A life that had been snatched from destruction. A life that was now filled with the Spirit of God and walking in peace. 

Could you ask for anything more?
I think not.

God on you....
mb