I Still Believe预览

DAY 4 

Title: He’s That Kind Of God

“… now I began to hate me. I hated what I became. I hated that I couldn’t quit. I would try. I would go maybe two weeks, but the draw was too great.” - Russ

Devotional Content:

I learned early in my career as a counselor that I was not good at helping people with alcohol and drug addictions. I did not “get it” and there were great counselors that God called to work in those areas. So if someone called about a alcohol/drug addiction, I referred them to someone else who could help. Yet, over the years, I have worked with some children who were facing life with a parent that was addicted.  

Brandon was nine when his mother brought him to see me. His mother told me that her husband (Brandon’s father) was an alcoholic. She spent years covering for him with his work and with her family, including Brandon. She was done. She could not cover for him any longer. A week before we talked, there was a blowup in front of Brandon and she asked her husband to leave. She drew some hard, but much-needed, lines in the sand. He had to get help and stay sober for at least a year before she would ever consider him coming back home.  

Brandon was a bright kid, full of energy, but his life was now turned upside down. He was angry at his mom for making his dad leave and angry at his dad for drinking. His grades were dropping and for the first time ever he was acting out at school. Towards the end of our first meeting he asked me this question, “Why does my dad love his drinking more than he loves me?” I have an answer for most questions but this time I did not. I said, “I don’t know.” Helping a 9-year-old boy know that what his dad does is about his dad, not him, is tough. Helping Brandon see himself as God sees him was even tougher.  

I asked his dad to come in to see me so I would know how to help Brandon. I was somewhat surprised. He was not who I expected. I saw a broken man at rock bottom that tried to quit drinking for years. Sometimes he hid his drinking and sometimes it was out in the open. The day I saw him he had his first 30-day sobriety chip in his hand. He had a long road in front of him and he knew it. He hated who he had been and was going to do whatever it would take to get his life and family back. You know what? I believed him. Not because of who he was or what he said, but because I saw Jesus in him.  

About 18 months later, Brandon, and both of his parents sat in my office. Dad was moving back home and we were going to talk about how to best make that happen. All three were excited, nervous and hopeful. Brandon had the dad he dreamed of and his parents had a second chance at their marriage. God had already worked one miracle and they knew He was going to work others. He is just that kind of God!

Today’s Challenge: 

What are you struggling with today? Whatever it is you can bring it to God. He has answers and a plan designed just for you.