As we remember to stop for someone today, I want you to meet my friend, Rick. He lives on the streets serving Christ by helping those who need help. As he shares his heart, notice the resemblance of how God works in your own life.
From Rick:
Years ago I had an addiction problem. It was severe and kept me in bondage for way too long. But the high and euphoria were the pay off and consequences were irrelevant.
My addiction to drugs and alcohol cost me dearly and the pay off was not even close to being worth it. Addiction is a vicious cycle of extreme highs and rock bottom lows. Talk about being bi-polar and depression comes swiflty when the money runs out.
Today, I serve God with all my heart. Helping the kind of people I used to be just like.
Homeless, helpless and with an outlook on life that would cripple anyone. God took my past and used it for good. His good.
He takes my knowledge of being in that position and my love for Him and turns it into a passion for people that are the modern day lepers. Talk about turning lemons into lemonade! I now try to stop and help people that I used to not care about at all. I thought the same way a lot of people think today, “Those people are the scourge of the earth and the world would be a better place if they would just all disappear. They’re lazy and don’t want to work, they’re filthy and don’t want to clean up, they’re lost and don’t want to be found. They don’t care, why should I?”
It is thankless and very frustrating to STOP and serve others. I don’t do it for money. I don’t do it for recognition. I don’t do it for prestige. In fact, I ask myself why do I do it?
Do you know why you do it? Why you stop or don’t stop to help others? Have you noticed how God has taken your past mess and turned it into the very message you are to share with others? Please share and send Rick some comment love.
Thank you, Rick for sharing today. I look forward to hearing the rest of the story next week. Your story is such a testimony of how God takes us through our messes and makes it our message. How God breaks our hearts and then gives us our breakthroughs. It's not only addiction to drugs that throw us off course – it can be anything that we get lost in. I am honored you were willing to share with us. Blessings as you continue to minister out on the streets.
This is amazing. May God bless your efforts as you minister to those who were as lost as you once were.
And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. (Galatians 6:9)
Praying for you, Rick! So excited to read about your faithfulness!
My best friend is an alcoholic, he is doing really well right now and gave a brief testimony and message at his church on Sunday. My own day did not go so well and it was hard to put my self aside, call him, pray for him, call again when he was done.. but oh so wonderful to hear him so happy! He sent me the recording first thing the next morning and I know that means getting someone to take him somewhere to use a computer with internet. I was really surprised to have it so soon! :)
Love my bubba, sooooooooooooo glad I have him!
Amy
Meredith – thank you for your encouraging words! It's all about remembering not to grow weary. Words I needed to hear. Blessings!
Amy – once again, I'm so thrilled to hear about your Bubba. The fact that you got a copy of his message is incredible!!! Thanks for sharing sweet friend.
Thank you for sharing such a heartfelt post. God is so gracious to take the mess we all make of our lives to heal it and give us a purpose. His blessings truly are new every morning.
I will lift you up in my prayers today for your ministry, for your life, for the gifts you share, and for the Lord to give you wisdom as He leads you. I'll look forward to next week.
Donna – thank you. God is so gracious! He doesn't care walk of life we're on – He loves us and wants the best for us. He showers gifts and life to all who call on His name! Blessings for stopping by and giving encouragement.
God bless you Rick! Thank you for sharing your story with us. I pray that God will fill your cup to overflowing so that you can bless those who are lost. Blessings!
Thanks for sharing. There are churches in our area who offer free lunches, each on a different day. We have supported their efforts. God is blessing.
I think we take our brokenness, the story of God's reshaping to wholeness – and then share the story of our amazing Father with others – wanting them to be made whole, too! What a story of overcoming spilling over to others!
It is so fantastic to read testimonials such as these. I have also been in the midst of depression and addiction and through the horror of it, and the healing, I have gained so much. It is for me a gift of grace to be healed and I just have to share that with others. God gave it to me, now I am just his hands giving it on to others where I can. God Bless you and your ministry Rick. Emma at LLM Calling. (I'd love to have you share your experience in my series "Love you neighbour" if you're interested)
Thank you for sharing this story. It's so easy to turn away and dismiss hurting people by telling ourselves that they could help themselves. But sometimes they just can't. Sometimes they just need to hear the message of Christ's love and redemption. The hope of that message is what pulls them (and me) out of the pit. Blessings to you as you continue to minister His love.
Blue Cotton Memory – thanks for linking up Socks 4 Five — I'm so blessed and bawling all at the same time! Beautiful. and Lovely!
Emma – I can't wait to hear more about your Love Your Neighbor — sounds like my heart is already there. Blessings.
Amy — turning away and just carrying on with our daily routines not noticing is SO easy. I'm guilty. I think that's why the Lord tells me this year is about STOPPING. Blessings friend.
I owe alot to my lil (spiritual) sis (Alene) who has encouraged me greatly to share the stories of God's amazing love. I've been so blessed just to brush up against it and fully understand why here on this earth we could not begin to handle it all. Thank you all for your prayers, support and time you spent reading my story
Thank you Rick for sharing a part of your life and GODS blessings with all of us. What you do in your ministry is awesome! GODS light shines thru you. Keep on writing and we will all keep on reading, GOD BLESS YOU, Love U, Helen
Rick,WOW! What a heartfelt story. The difference GOD is making in these people's life's thru you, it's awesome. Thank you for sharing a piece of your heart, and GODS massive love for all of us. It's an honor and privilege to see your daily walk, with our FATHER, and help in anyway GOD leads me too!