Hey Friends —
How are you doing these days, friend?
Really?
I shared last week I made the decision to stop numbing out with Diet Coke.
Partly because I want to run only to God when I’m stressed out and overwhelmed, and partly because
I want to be reminded of the power and lure of addiction.
You see, a few weeks ago I met two beautiful and winsome women at a Women’s Event.
On Friday night, one of the women said, “I’m an alcohol addict. But I’m clean today.”
The other sweet woman said, “I’m a heroin addict, but I’ve been clean three weeks.”
Don’t you love their honesty and authenticity?
I’ve been marked by their bravery.
Y’all they are living out their freedom and sobriety one choice at a time.
Every time I want a nice, cold, fizzy beverage on my throat, or my dog is driving me nuts, or the pressure is piling up — first, I remind myself nothing satisfies like Jesus does.
No soda, no glass of wine, no hit, no website, no trip to the mall.
As Beth Moore says, “There is no high like the Most High.”
And then I stop and pray God would infuse my sweet friends with His power, strength, and grace. As I’ve shared before, willpower alone isn’t enough to break the chains of addiction. But Jesus is. (Recap here)
Have you experienced this to be true in your life, friend?
Late Wednesday night the beautiful woman struggling with a heroin addiction called me needing help.
She shared, “Cindy, I feel like I’m at a fork in the road and I DON’T KNOW WHAT TO DO. Tell me WHAT TO DO.”
What a brave and honest phone call. I want to live completely and authentically just like her.
Truth be told, don’t we all find ourselves at crossroads. We know we should take steps towards health, freedom, wholeness, new life….. BUT it’s tempting to follow the path of convenience, comfort, and ease. When was the last time you found yourself at a fork in the road?
- You’ve committed to spending time in the Word each day, but it’s easier to get up an turn first to FB, your emails, and To DO list. (Am I the only one?)
- You’ve set personal goals towards your physical health, but when it’s time to hop on the treadmill you declare, “I’ll start my exercise plan tomorrow.”
- You recognize that unforgiveness is causing relationship challenges, but you’re not ready to let go of hurts and betrayals from the past.
- You’ve decided to cut back on the nightly glass (or two) of wine, but now the kids are in bed and you find yourself saying, “It’s only a glass of wine. What’s the big deal. It’s been an exhausting day.”
What do you do when you are at a fork in the road and you don’t know what to do?
I’d love to hear from you, friend.
And what do I do when I’m at a fork in the road and I don’t know what to do?
I’ll share more tomorrow —
Thanks for stopping by, sweet friend!
Have a joy-filled weekend!
P.S. West Michigan friends, I’m super excited to share a new Christmas message at Ada Bible Church on Tuesday, December 2 & Friday, December 5th. If your schedule allows, I’d love to see you there! Click HERE for more information.
When I’m at a fork in the road and don’t know what to do, I cry out to Jesus for help. In truth, this response is getting easier over the years, but even now, there are times in which it’s not the first thing I do, though. Sometimes the first thing I do is fall apart in tears and then call a friend. I’d like to bypass those things and go straight to the Lord. Still learning. Maybe that’s why He allows so many forks in the road – to teach me this lesson.
Crystal, thanks for your very honest response! Aren’t we all still works in progress? Thanking God for His grace and many lessons, and for sweet blog friends like YOU!