When I was just a tad under 35 I went to a treatment center to teach me how to stop my incessant drinking and drugging. Now while I'll admit it did stop me for the 28 days I was there and about three to four weeks after I left, something was missing. And that something was the will to stay sober through thick and thin. I was brittle to say the least. On the edge.

One evening when I was alone with my thoughts and feelings and I felt as though I couldn't take this sobriety thing much longer, I met a very kindly gentleman. It was someone that I knew from my childhood and as a teenager I had blown off. My opinion of him was that he was judgmental and stuffy. He reminded me of my stiff dad who had shown little emotion toward me except anger and nit picking. He reminded me of why I drank so much. His appearance I must say surprised me. I had shaken my fist at him many times and pushed him beyond all reason. But there he was with his warm smile wanting to just give me a few pointers.

I expected him to turn his back on me as I had turned my back on him over the past 25 years. But he showed up with his quiet demeanor and literally propped me up that night and kept me from going out and using. He imparted his secrets to me and told me that if I ever needed anything at all he would come to wherever I was and help me through it. And I knew this gentleman wasn't lying to me either. And for the first time in my life I knew what my life had been missing and I knew that I would never have to go without it again. I was extremely happy. But I cried like a baby and that feeling still causes me tears today. I had finally found in this kindly gentleman the spirit of a true loving father. I honestly had never known that feeling before. And the most important part that so deeply touched me was his unconditional acceptance of me as is and his forgiveness.

I don't know who will read this or what will be thought of it. But everyone needs to feel forgiven with no strings attached and no hoops to jump through. Just a good old "here it is, take it." And I took it. Then I told this kindly gentleman, "If there is any way possible that I can help you I will." I swore to it that night. "Just tell me what to do and I'll do whatever I can." I promised and I meant it. Over the last decade or so I have felt compelled to share my experiences with others concerning this gentleman explaining to them that his gifts of sobriety and life restoration are free. You needn't do anything but believe in him and he will come and help you too as he has countless millions over thousands of years. He keeps his promises.

You know, 15 years ago the thought that I could even write something like this would have made me roll on the floor in hysterical laughter. I would have said; "Oh Please! You jest!" But this kindly old gentleman even took in a guy named Pete who loved to kill Christians and before you knew it, Pete became St. Peter. That was my first clue that this gentleman doesn't judge harshly and automatically sent people to damnation. He gives great second, third, fourth chances. Unlike you and I, he waits patiently for us to seek him. He will try to seek us, but usually we are stone deaf to gentle reason.

Now I know that there are plenty of people out there that love a hell's fire and brimstone preacher. But that hasn't been my experience with this gentleman. He leads gently and waits patiently, and forgives totally. He won't make you do anything at all. He may suggest through your thoughts that you act differently, but it's still up to you what you do. It always was and it always is up to you what you do with or about what you know.

This kindly gentleman I've adopted as my father and I know he knows I'm far from perfect at anything. I'm just as flawed as anything in creation. But I am willing to try to be a part of his family. And that's all I have to do and I stay sober and clean very easily. The booze, the drugs have no power over me at all and haven't since this gentleman came into my life. I read his word and I think about what it means to me. And I apply it to me in my life in imperfect spasms of going forward and sliding backwards. My character is still rough. But I try as best I can today. Progress, not perfection.

So if you are really hurting and want a way out, simply invite this kindly gentleman into your life and allow him to forgive you and set your path in life a little straighter. It is that simple to begin. With God All Things Are Possible..