I was a proud father. We had the model home. Our kids were all grown and, finally, my wife and I would have time for each other. But something wasn’t right.

Without realizing, over time, we had grown apart. But the real problems started when I tried to replace the sorrow of our troubled marriage with alcohol.  The more I drank, the bigger our problems got. Finally, my wife couldn’t take it anymore, and soon we were divorced.

In that dark spiral downhill I attempted suicide.  Twice.

It took a police officer to rescue me on the second attempt, but I still couldn’t give up that bottle. In the fog of a drunken haze, I ended up in Arizona, at a homeless shelter. It would take weeks for me to come around. Then I met a man who helped me find work. You might say he was my divine appointment.

Through my struggles, he helped me to get on my feet and eventually back home where I hoped to reconnect with my kids. But old habits got the better of me . . . then I heard about Wayside Cross.

They had a long-term Christian Recovery Center for men in Aurora Illinois.

That’s where I would finally get the help I needed.

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11

Looking back over the darkest times now, I’m thankful for the path God laid out for me. He brought me to my knees and eventually led me here. That’s where I was introduced to Bob, my mentor at Wayside’s Master’s Touch program.

Bob and the ministry staff helped me develop a new relationship in Christ Jesus.  As I discovered new strength in Him, I found renewed hope for myself.

But the biggest lessons I learned in my recovery were humility and patience.

I know now there is absolutely no way I could have recovered without God. He surrounded me with people who cared for me in my darkest hours.  God was always with me, in that darkness.

Through my struggles, he helped me to get on my feet and eventually back home where I hoped to, one day, reconnect with my kids.

As I got stronger in my recovery, I started volunteering at a local recreational sports center.  Soon I was hired to work with special needs children. My former profession!  God was slowly giving me my life back, and this time, I was different.

Wayside has even allowed me to continue to stay here and save my income while I’m on work status. They also gave me the courage to reach out to my adult children to try and make amends.

In May, I graduate from Master’s Touch!

It’s been a long road, but it feels like God is opening new doors for me again and Wayside Cross Ministries is giving me the foundation I needed to rebuild my life.

I am so thankful for the kindness donors and volunteers at this ministry have shown me. I know I couldn’t have done it without them. They came alongside me in my hour of need, and helped a guy like me pick up the pieces…encouraging me to grow stronger in my faith.

Today, I might not be able to see the road ahead, but I know I’m walking with God

. . . and He is guiding my every step.

If you know someone in need of a safe place to recover and rebuild their lives call Wayside Cross Ministries’ Lifespring Center for Women or Master’s Touch for Men at (630) 892-4239.