Have you ever gotten to be part of someone’s Jesus Story? 

In the 12 step rooms, when we sponsor and work with others, we get to be part of each other’s recovery stories. I can tell you first hand, that when you get to be part of someone’s recovery journey and watch them grow and mature, that feeling of gratitude is so awesome in knowing that you got to be part of their story. 

Yesterday, I got a phone call from a guy I work with in my 12 step program. His opening statement was, “I don’t have anything for you, I just wanted to call and say hello. I am actually doing quite well.”  

After a quick update from me, I said, “What makes you-are doing so well?” First he said, “ I am not feeling alone anymore.” Then he went on to tell a story. 

Story

My wife and I went to see a movie together. I knew it had content in it that might be a trigger for me. However, we went to the movie together anyway, as I thought it might be ok. Sure enough, as the movie rolled on, the triggers kept coming. I looked at my wife and said, “I really need to leave.” I went out into the foyer and sat and made phone calls to guys in the 12 step program, and I journaled. When the movie was over and my wife and I got to the car, I apologized profusely to my wife for having to leave her sitting there alone to watch the rest of the movie. Her response was; “It’s ok, I support your recovery program.” 

End Story

Now, I don’t know about you. I think that is a pretty awesome story. Of course I know the Back Story also, which makes this story even sweeter. 

But there is MORE!

Back Story

In more recent months, by his own choice, this man has been going to church. He has been exploring the bible. He has been investigating a man named Jesus. He has lots of questions, and is honestly a little skeptical and unsure. But! He has kept on going to church and he has kept on evaluating.  

End Back Story

My response to this man’s movie theater story was of course quite positive. This was a BIG moment for him. However, I was more interested in the Back Story. I asked him if he could see anything else in his story that was BIGGER at that moment. In his response, he already figured his answer was not going to be the answer I was looking for, and he was correct. I will say, his answer did impress. He went on to tell me that in that moment, when he told his wife that he had to leave the movie theater, he did not feel shame. The support from his wife was a positive re-enforcement of acceptance of his affliction that he has been working on.   

I then asked him a redirect question. “So how is your journey with Jesus going?” He went on to tell me that he has still been going to church, he is still reading his bible, and he is “not quite there yet” on this man named Jesus. 

This is when I asked him to go back to the beginning of his answer to the question: “What makes you-are doing so well?” The very first answer he gave was-as I pointed out-his first words were, “I don’t feel alone anymore.” I asked him if he could connect his journey with Jesus to this statement. He said, and I quote! 

“I don’t feel alone anymore, because my wife accepted me, and I have Jesus walking alongside me to carry the shame.”

YES!

And we celebrated! Wahoo! And I applauded several times and repeated the JOY-FULLY noises of celebration and then I proceeded to CALL HIM OUT! 

“I thought you didn’t have anything for me today?”

And we laughed! And we celebrated! 

That was absolutely the highlight of my day yesterday. What awesome testimony! What an awesome ride with Jesus. AND I am so grateful that he has allowed me to share his Jesus story with you ALL. I am so grateful to be part of that…

Make Your Day Testimony.