In All Things; Give Thanks | Previous Challenge Entry

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TITLE: In All Things; Give Thanks | Previous Challenge Entry
By Emeline Collette
03/05/08
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In All Things; Give Thanks

It was difficult to believe that her once precious son had become a drug addict, an alcoholic and a drug dealer. The changes were noticeable but spiraled out of control quickly. He was seventeen when he was arrested the first time for breaking into a camp to steal alcohol and electronics to support his habit.
“Dear God help me, “ she cried out. “My precious gift; my son you have given to me for a time is going astray. Lord, help us please. My husband doesn’t see the problem. He turns a blind eye. I feel so alone, Lord. Help us.”
She went to crack houses and banged on doors looking for him in the middle of the night. Her once honor roll student who was popular, great in most sports, loving and considerate, now was living on the streets and refused to come home. She spent many a night into the early morning hours riding the streets where he hung out, hoping to find him and bring him home. This was a nightmare. True she had been a great mother in the world’s eyes, but she had turned away from church and the fellowship of other Christians for many years. Eleven years to be exact. Hurt feelings and mistreatment of her son at a Christian camp turned her family away from God. There was no real help for her son in times like this. He had missed out on the power of God to sustain him and keep him from slipping into this lifestyle. He wouldn’t know he should pray. Why would he? He never saw his parents pray in times of trouble. He never saw the example.
It took this to wake his mother up. She confessed her failure to Christ and got back into fellowship at her local church. She shared her story and soon learned about spiritual warfare, and how to battle it. She did just that by intercessory prayer, not only her son but for her daughter, husband and herself. Satan had gained a foothold in their lives from the past hurts of Christians. This foothold was just what Satan knew would be his chance to step in and pull a strong Christian family away.
Thirteen years in and out of county jails and prison would be part of their son’s and this family’s lives. Heartaches were more than they could ever have imagined they could live through. Eventually the husband and wife were united again in fellowship with Christ and other Christians. Just when things would look up, again another arrest and another near death experience of drugs and alcohol would plaque their son.
They never gave up. They prayed without ceasing although they were discouraged many times.
After 13 years the son got out of prison, and desired to live. He knew that God had saved him time and time again from death. He gave his life over to the God he knew loved him. He began drug treatment and went on to revisit the prison as a counselor to other inmates during prerelease, to talk about his experiences. He worked as a sponsor in drug and alcohol meetings to help others fight the fight. He was invited into high schools to speak to teens about the dangers of living the lifestyle he had lived. He was able to get across to them the huge cost on him and his family. Today he is nearly finished with two years of college, and looking forward to a bright future.
His mom is proud of him, and as difficult as it may seem; she praises God for the trials and tribulations that brought not only her son, but her whole family back to the great sustainer of life; Jesus Christ.

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