I believe GOD made me write this because I need as many prayers as I can get.
I have three beautiful sons.
And as any parent knows, sometimes one of your children gets off the beaten track and you find yourself dealing with an issue you are unprepared to handle.
My youngest son has had an issue with alcoholism for years. Several stays at Hazelton, three marriages, and unsuccessful AA meetings.
My other two sons decided it best to not tell me when he fell off the wagon - to shield me from the pain.
Last year he married a wonderful gal who he told me yesterday, is more supportive about helping him with his addiction than anyone else in his life.
Last night he called to tell me that he was once again going to Hazelton. I had no idea he had fallen off the wagon again. I told him I loved him and would pray for him and asked him if he had a bible. He said he did and I told him he MUST get right with GOD.
I told him without GOD he would not make a lasting recovery and he agreed. He sounded like he had finally decided this was the time to get clean because of the support of his wife.
Tonight middle son called to tell me that during the intake physical exam they discovered he had atrial fibrillation and they took him by ambulance to a hospital.
He works for Minnesota DMV and he had to get the vaccination when they first came out but refused the booster. Whether this has anything to do with the heart issue, only GOD knows for sure.
I sit here tonight knowing that my youngest son, whom I remember as a beautiful happy child may die and I cannot be with him.
If it is GOD's will that he be taken to Heaven, so be it. But it does not alleviate the pain in my heart.
So I guess I not only need prayers for Brian, but I need prayers for his Mom.
Mom I am praying for Brian & you.
My wife heads & works with other recovery clinics. She tells me on average it takes 7 times on a recovery center for it to finally work (when looking at the data she has access to) & is working on community education to help others know that it isn't laziness or unwillingness to change after going the first time. It generally takes multiple times through the classes for something to stick in a way that the individual is able to maintain their life in recovery.
God knows I have fallen into habit way more than I ever wanted to & know if I ever let myself go down the path again, I will be hooked just like I was years ago. I don't think any addict is ever recovered, we simply recognize it is something we must abstain from & anything that can lead us back to whichever habit we needed to break needs to be cleared from our lives.
Keep loving & praying for them. Recognize the good they do & encourage more of it. God is good & will make him stronger & more compassionate for it.