On the outside, I looked a like a normal college student, taking care of herself, working two half-time jobs on campus, doing full-time school work and getting stuff done in my life. On the inside, I was hurting, broken, angry, purposeless, empty, struggling with self-esteem issues and medicating it all with alcohol, drugs, sex and food.
It’s been 15 years since I have had an alcoholic drink. It has been 15 years since I’ve had any illegal drug. It has been 15 years since I’ve looked at pornography. It has been 15 years since I have walked away from a life that was killing me.
God has done some pretty amazing things in my life. He’s shown me forgiveness; He’s given me a purpose; He saved me from myself.
At the end of February, I celebrated 15 years of sobriety. My spiritual dad, and Celebrate Recovery pastor presented me with my beautiful sobriety chip and my husband brought me a bouquet of beautiful dusty pink roses.
Tonight, I’ll be sitting in a room with 20 other ladies who are on that same journey with me. Some have 3 years, some have 1 year of sobriety, some have 6 months, some 9 months, and some less than a month of sobriety. Regardless, we are all on the same journey and I get to walk with them through it.
Friends, family, if you’re struggling with life- remember that you don’t have to do it alone. Reach out to someone; get the help you need. Contact me, if you want to: even if you don’t live nearby. I can help you find a Celebrate Recovery near you.
So, tonight, and for the rest of my life, I am celebrating. I’m celebrating the way God wants me to- by giving back and living out Step 12.
