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Topic: Flowers (10/03/05)
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TITLE: Stealing, Killing and Destroying | Previous Challenge Entry
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10/07/05 -
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There are no medical means of helping the addict, there are few successful recovery groups, and tough love programs are non-existent. The ending for addicts is usually in the way of incarceration or in-casket. Either way, the outlook is not optimistic. Doctors, police officers, counselors and prior meth users will tell you, “It IS bad.”
It is more than bad, it is evil. I have found myself staring evil straight in the eyes. It is not wearing a costume. It doesn’t come walking into your life disguised as something else; it just shows up, unannounced and certainly uninvited. It appears with a tone of mockery that makes the dark side so foreboding. The secrets, the deceit, the lies, the cover-ups, the hiding make it hard for the light to shine.
“To kill, steal and destroy” is what the bible says. And regardless of their religious preference, I am sure most law enforcement agencies would agree with that 110%. God’s word is referring to the enemy, satan. On the beat and on the street, it would be in reference to meth addictions. It does kill, it does steal and it does destroy.
It is a spreading disease that is extending its haunting side effects to a husband, two innocent children, a mother and father- in -law, other family members, friends, neighbors and community members. Behind the gasps, you realize the fear. You recognize the bewilderment. Abandoning children that she advocated for, prayed for and loved; deserting a husband that has been her rock and her fortress; spending hard-earned, budgeted money on the drug, and making up lies and more lies to cover other lies. It is so twisted. I quickly realized that prayer is THE tool to help the one addicted and the other lives that are involved, because when it comes to being practical, a casserole, bouquet of flowers or a card will not fix this situation.
I have struggled with the feelings of: I can’t believe I know someone, personally, that would choose that lifestyle. Why didn’t I see the signs? Why can’t I reach them? Did I do enough? Did I do too much? Why would they abandon their own family? Why would they choose to do that to their body? Why would they forgo and forget about their relationship with the Lord? What happened to trigger this? Who is responsible? Can anyone help? Will this kill her? When will this come to an end and how will the last chapter be written? What happened to the person I used to know?
I love this woman. She is someone who would do anything for anyone. She dared to be different. She offended people easily because she would not tolerate hypocrisy or fakes. She had great appeal to 'the lost' because she was on their level. With that being her best characteristic, it is the very one that satan turned around and used against her. By trying to be a friend to those involved in drug activity, she became one of them.
I know that there is hope because of my Savior. In the final moments, when the cross was ominous and looking like hope was nowhere to be found and that the end was near, God stepped in and made a way. Resurrection did not happen to cast seemingly hopeless situations to the wind and walk away. No, resurrection happened to step in to fill a fallen world with hope, against all odds.
An unknown author stated: "Sometimes being a friend means mastering the art of timing. There is a time for silence. A time to let go and allow people to hurl themselves into their own destiny. And a time to prepare to pick up the pieces when it's all over." Holding Jesus’ hand, I know we will be helping my friend pick up the pieces. I do believe that.
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