IT STARTED WITH ONE

Our daughter, Terri, went to Celebrate Recovery to help a young boy.  This boy was a friend of the family, often stayed at their home, and hung around with their four boys.  Then he got in trouble.  He hung around the wrong people and ended up in jail.  His “friends” did not help him, but our daughter’s family continued to be there for him.  When he was released, Terri told him, “You are going to Celebrate Recovery and I am going with you.”  Sadly, he did not keep going, but something unexpected happened.

Terri kept going.

Celebrate Recovery’s website says: Celebrate Recovery is a Christ-centered, 12 step recovery program for anyone struggling with hurt, pain or addiction of any kind.  Celebrate Recovery is a safe place to find community and freedom from the issues that are controlling our life. 

Celebrate Recovery (CR from now on.) is a place to find support, healing, and strength to change. 

So why did Terri keep going?  She went to offer support and quickly discovered the strength to let go of personality issues that were controlling her life.  She kept going because she wanted to help others find that same freedom.  Then something unexpected happened.

Her husband, Jon, went to a CR meeting to support Terri and quickly found himself offering support to others.  Then something unexpected happened. 

Their sons went to a CR meeting to see what was going on.  They were soon offering a smile, a handshake, and support to addicts, people who had served time in jail, and strangers.  Then something unexpected happened.

Jon hired a man he met at a CR meeting who was recently released from prison.  Rob was working hard to find a second chance… and he found one.  He started work and told me, “I have received more support from this family than I ever received from my own.”  I told him this chance came with a responsibility.  He had a 17 year old boy watching him to see what he did with a second chance.  Then something unexpected happened.

Ed and Amy, friends of Jon and Terri, went to a CR meeting to hear Rob give his testimony.  They kept going and are now the weekly greeters.

Our daughter, Terri, went to Celebrate Recovery to help a young boy.  Sadly, he did not keep going, but something unexpected happened.

Four sons saw their parents step out of their comfort zones.  Friends became helpers.  Terri and Jon have led small groups.  Terri found out she could speak in public.  Jon was Rock Star of the Month for helping wherever he can.  A young man came to church because Jon invited him.  Terri has listened as mothers shared stories of their children and a wife needed help to cope with her husband’s Alzheimer.  They have seen lives changed and relationships reestablished. 

Terri kept going and something unexpected happened.  It started with one and spread to many.

https://www.celebraterecovery.com