TRAGEDIES to TRIUMPH

Have you thanked Him?

Have you praised Him?

Have you made it your priority to agree and cooperate with Him today?

Have you taken that deep breath and listened for what He has for you today?

1 Timothy 2:1 (The Message)

The first thing I want you to do is pray. Pray every way you know how, for everyone you know.

It has been a blessed couple of days.  A lot is going on like it always is, but what I have come to appreciate in the past few months is how so many gifted and passionate folks are coming forward with great ideas, concepts and solutions to our ever-evolving addiction and coping crisis.

New counseling options.

New life saving ideas.

New innovative and progressive shelters and programs.

But what intrigues and blesses me even more are the “stories”.  Stories of tragedy and triumph of pain turning to problem solving and promise.  Stories like Eric Boling’s who lost his son to overdose yet now has become a national voice of awareness and warning.  Stories like the team behind THE PEARL HOUSE in Lancaster who identified a need and OVERCAME barrier after barrier to open a first of its kind family shelter and recovery complex.

And stories like that of my friend G.M.

G.M. experienced a beyond tragic day in October of 2015 when his son overdosed and died.  And since then, G.M. has taken his gifts and talents, his acumen for social media and communications and has developed a one of a kind pod-cast platform of best practices that inspires others to action in the face of this challenge!

And while I have been working with G.M. for almost 3 years, I never heard “the whole story”.

G.M. grew up in the Catholic church yet over the years he had drifted from the church and had allowed his FAITH to cool. 

Then tragedy.

G.M.’s son overdosed away from home in a different state.  He had been living there for some time.  So, when G.M. went to collect his son, he encountered something unexpected and extraordinary. Despite his son’s struggles, he had found HIS FAITH.  He had been a vibrant part of a Baptist community and church.  He had been baptized and from many accounts he had impacted many in positive and life-changing ways; so much so that they had a service for him there in that town before returning home to Ohio.

After returning to Ohio and after his son’s local Catholic-led mass, G.M. tells how HIS FAITH was restored.  That HIS FAITH that had been dormant was suddenly re-ignited and is now the catalyst for all his efforts.  He has re-engaged his church, has become a leader and has begun to share his faith journey with others.  Something he said he couldn’t have imagined ever doing.

Clearly there is much more to the story, many twists and revelations I don’t have time to share, but I share this little abridged version to remind us of a couple of things.

GOD says that HE WILL…take away sadness and replace with the oil of happiness; will take away sorrow and replace with celebration… (adapted from Isaiah 61:3 ERV)

that every detail of our lives is continually woven together to fit into God’s perfect plan of bringing good into our lives… (Romans 8:28 TPT)

I know not a day goes by that G.M. doesn’t miss his beloved son, not a day.  But I also know that from the sadness and ash, GOD has WOVEN a remarkable plan and story of renewed faith that is bringing hope and changing lives today.

So, what is today’s take away? 

GOD is involved with you today.  He knows your tragedies, but He wants you to know HE has overcome them (John 16:33) and if you will ALLOW Him, He is FAITHFUL to weave TRIUMPH. 

Joyce Meyer said it this way, “God is the Champion at bringing people from a place of destruction to a place of total victory. As they reach that place of victory, they become trophies of his grace. and they are set on the display as a fragrant reminder of God's goodness.”

Have a BLESSED DAY!!!

Love all of you

OPPORTUNITIES for HOPE