Latest News

It was a long and winding road.  Initially it seemed it was paved in gold but it lost its luster as the weight of what was expected of him felt like bricks piled heavy in a backpack strapped to his back.  Rather than dropping the bricks he carried them into all sorts of hell which he thought would distract him from his pain.  By the time he realized that it was causing even more pain he had lost his way in the labyrinth we call a nightmare of drugs and alcohol.

And God watched.

He tried.  He really did. Along the way he met people that wanted to help and places that seemed to provide what was necessary to lead a well lived life.  For a time, it worked. For a while he carried his backpack of bricks working hard to keep his back straight and his head held up high.  But when a storm would brew or the road became too steep he and his bricks escaped into oblivion once again.  And when he surfaced he cried out in even more pain, feeling worse than ever about whom he was, how he was living and the pain he was causing to those that he loved and loved him.  He wondered when would his body and soul just wear out.

And God cried with him.

Some people just walked away assuming he would never be able to surmount the demons that possessed him.  Some tried to control him to ward off the fear of what he would do next.  Still others comforted him when he would allow it, prayed for him incessantly and loved him in spite of himself.  God brought many people into this child’s life some for a season, a reason and always for a purpose.

And God sent a special angel to the child.

She knew him when they were both young, but for whatever reason their journeys took them away from each other.  In hindsight, perhaps they were not ready for each other until their experiences would meld together for good.  But now many years later God crossed their paths once again.

And when she saw the man God had created she still saw that sweet, gentle boy in the man that was struggling, but constantly and courageously trying to overcome his hurts, habits and hang ups.  She shared her hurts with him and together they softened the blows of living, created a loving safe place for both of them to share and to care for each another.

And the child of God let go of many of his hurts and habits and began to see the beauty that was all around him and the beauty of this woman he felt humbled and grateful to have in his life.  He found honest work that both challenged and made use of his both good and bad experiences.  He rejoined his family and shares in being a part of what had been lost for so long.

Sometimes, all it takes is for God’s love to be shown through his children.  As in this case, these two children of God found each other not by chance but by God’s grace and mercy.  His love, peace and forgiveness are freely given and He asks us to share that with one other.

As I sat and listened to these two children of God exchange their wedding vows

I knew that God had chosen each of them for the other.

Yes, it was indeed a long and winding road.  But God can take the wreck of a life and through His grace and mercy we rise.

 

Thank you for reading my post.  If you have found it encouraging please consider liking, commenting or sharing it.  Feel free to even re-blog – may these words take flight!

I have additional insights I’d love to share with you found in the pages of my debut book: Surviving Medical Mayhem – Laughing When It Hurts.  To order a copy or learn more go to my website at www.lorettaschoen.com

Blessings for Health & Wellness.