Life After Hitting Bottom
Some bad things happened to me when I was a young child that I allowed to affect my life. My uncles used to get me drunk for their own amusement and my babysitter’s boyfriend physically abused me. Mainly it was the verbal abuse though… “You’re no good,” or “You’ll never amount to anything…”
On the other hand, good things happened in my life when I was approx-imately five or six years old (Eph. 1:3-5):
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will (KJV).
I knew somehow God loved me and at that moment told him how I loved him. I got baptized as an infant, went to church every Sunday, received first Communion, then Confirmation. My actions didn’t show my love. I started drinking, smoking, and getting high at a very young age.
I continued this lifestyle and in the process I was divorced twice and lost five beautiful children—all because of my selfishness. It seemed as if I had to live out the “good for nothing”, “never amount to anything” person I was told that I was.
I was in and out of jail for drinking or small amounts of drugs, but never repented of this lifestyle. I woke up from one of my many blackouts to a living nightmare. I committed a horrible crime. I hit bottom is what they call it in Alcoholics Anonymous.
I decided to repent. I laid on a concrete floor crying, praying, and asking for forgiveness. The Holy Spirit came upon me and gave me the comfort I needed. Then came my court sentence… They were not so forgiving.
In Matthew 4:10 it is written, “Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God and him only shalt thou serve.”
I wasn’t doing this with my life. I started reading my Bible (a first in my life), took Bible studies via mail, and attended services. This strengthened me enough that years later I had the confidence to take a trade program. I excelled in there, became a tutor, and then a greenhouse technician for eight years.
Genesis 50:20: “But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive” (KJV).
My confidence level has changed quite a bit thanks to the Bible. I consider it my “Chilton’s Manual” for my spirit man. Fellowship with the men at both APM and AA for Christ also gave me a big boost.
Two of my favorite feelings are to be in Christ and win someone over to his kingdom. The other is to bring a Prodical Son (like me) back to his goodness. Oh, can’t forget praise and worship time either. After all, this is why we were created.
I have been abundantly blessed to live at Alpha House and even entrusted to become a house manager. I have plenty of garden area, a good job, and more. Mainly though, one of my children came back and I think the others are curiously watching my walk.
Bill — Originally published in July 2013
