Six Years.

Our God is the God who saves and restores.  Six years ago, January 13, 2006, we opened our doors at Celebrate Recovery at Memorial Road Church of Christ.  I vividly remember that it was a cool, but sunny winter day.  I had been very meticulous in setting everything up just right for all those that God had prepared to attend that first meeting.  I wanted everything to be just right.  Warm.  Welcoming.   Hospitable.  I did not want to give anyone an excuse to not come back.  Then, it happened.  The first participant at our Celebrate Recovery walked through the doors at a few minutes before six.  Mike had his head bowed low and was not sure why he was there; but, he knew he needed help and he was hungry.

Fast forward six years to January 13, 2012.  Mike walked through our doors – not alone this time – but with his wife.  God has not only saved and restored his life, but his marriage as well.  His head was not bowed low, but I could see his smile from ear to ear the moment he walked through the door.  This past Friday night at our 6^th Anniversary Service Mike and his wife, Kay, received their six year CR chip.  And that is just one of the dozens and dozens of stories that God has written through his grace, mercy, love and forgiveness over the past six years.  During Recovery Recognition, hands went flying up and people were shouting in joyful declaration, “Two years! Four years! Six years!  One year!”  Our huggers that passed out the chips could not keep up with all those celebrating what God has done in their lives.

After Recovery Recognition was over, I was speechless (this is a state of mind that is very difficult for me to obtain – I know this is hard for many of you to believe – but it’s true).  We were in the very presence of the Almighty Savior that had saved and restored so many lives, and we were His witnesses on Friday night.  That led us into an amazing time of worship and testimony time.  The testimony shared was our program’s first family testimony.  All five members of the Jason Hosch family shared from their recovery journey through CR and the Landing.  It was very inspirational to all in attendance and shows the power of God working not only in individual lives, but in families as well. 

God has been so good to all of us, and Friday night we had a powerful reminder of his goodness and love.  My prayer is that He will continue to do this good work among us.  May we never grow tired of being the witnesses of changed lives through the power of Jesus Christ at Celebrate Recovery!    

Grateful Believer,

Micah