Thursday, September 27, 2012

Two Young In's

1. This is Jesse:



He is my cousin's son and has been part of a ministry for street people in Abbotsford called The 5 and 2. They meet almost daily, at Jubilee Park, or in downtown Abbotsford, offering fresh sandwiches, hot coffee, no-questions-asked assistance and lively conversation to anyone needing it.

Recently, on Saturday evenings, Jesse and team started a church service in the park. Come for a meal at 5, then stick around and hear him preach. He's just finished a series on the book of John, introducing about thirty folks to the Gospel. (By the way? Jesse is a fourth year Geography student at UFV, juggling school, married life and his passion for 'the least of these' daily. He also helps out with septic systems in his free time...)



On the Thanksgiving weekend, an out-of-town guest will do the preaching in the park. 
Tony Campolo.

Did you get that?
TONY CAMPOLO.

I should probably use an exclamation mark. 

!

Tony Campolo is professor emeritus of sociology at Eastern University, a former faculty member at the University of Pennsylvania, and the founder and president of the Evangelical Association for the Promotion of Education.  He has written more than 35 books, blogs regularly at his website, ... blah blah blah.

He's kind of a big deal.
Like, really big in most Christian circles. Like he's the keynote speaker at important gatherings and such.

SO. If you've got no plans for Saturday Oct 6, come to Jubilee Park in Abby at 5 for hotdogs and meet The 5 and 2 peeps. Then hang around for some good words from Dr. Tony. 

Seriously. Do this. 

And Jess? SO PROUD OF YOU.

2. This is Max. He's my boy.



Today? Sept 27, 2012? He (and we) are celebrating EIGHTEEN MONTHS CLEAN. 

I am so very proud of him. 
And I have loved watching the Max of old re-emerge and flourish. I am in awe of how God is shaping and using him to impact the lives of young men struggling with addiction.

Max is living in recovery and is an active part of an NA community; making a difference. One relationship at a time. Because this is what Max is brilliant at... being a friend. It's how he's been wired right from the get go.  It is so right, just watching him be that guy that God created him to be.  :) 

Every single clean day is a miracle. And he lives each one with integrity and joy. 

At the start of NA meetings, someone reads a laminated page entitled Just for Today.

Here are my favorite parts:

When we focus our thoughts on today, the nightmare of drugs fades away, overshadowed by
the dawn of a new reality. We find that, when we are troubled, we can trust our feelings to
another recovering addict. In sharing our past with other addicts we discover we are not
unique, that we share common bonds. Talking to other NA members, whether to share the
trials and tribulations of our day with them or allowing them to share theirs with us, is a way
our Higher Power works through us. 

We  have  no  need  to  fear  if  today  we  stay  clean,  close  to  our  Higher  Power  and  our  NA friends. God has forgiven us for our past mistakes, and tomorrow is not yet here. Meditation and a personal inventory will help us to gain serenity and guidance throughout this day. We take a few moments out of our daily routine to thank God for giving us
the ability to cope with today. 

“Just for today” applies to all areas of our lives, not just abstinence from drugs. Reality has to
be dealt with on a daily basis.  God expects no more of us than to do the things that we are able to do today.



Max? Has become a pro at Just for Today. I continue to learn from the way he does life, one day at a time.
I am thankful that he not only shares his story, but that he listens and learns from others' stories too. I am proud that he utters words of encouragement, as well as words of caution to those around him.

He inspires me.
And I am so, so glad that he's my boy.

Congrats Max, on 18 months.
Love you.




1 comment:

Unknown said...

I love that we love each others kids. Way to go Max.