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| My son BJ (Robert) sharing at the Tree Trimming gathering |
"I am where I am supposed to be," said some, commenting on how profoundly the Beacon House has turned their lives around and given them hope, a hope that many said they never have experienced. Some stated that they had been to other rehabiliation centers but felt that the Beacon House was different, but they somehow knew this was home.
"Thank God for my life," announced another, reflecting on the despair and depression he had felt for most of his life, and how the "House" had given him another chance. Some spoke of times past when they had felt suicidal because they had lost all hope, and how bleak their lives were, but then spoke of renewal and enthusiasm for the future, and how blessed they felt for having another chance.
"I really love my life right now," said others, talking about new outlooks, new schooling completed, new jobs, the sense of community and brotherhood and unconditional love they now feel.
"Words cannot express what I'm feeling right now," stated others tearfully as they stood humbly before a filled hall, realizing they now were clean and sober, being overcome with gratitude for the "House" and its staff, feeling the warm love and caring eminating from their brothers. These are men who had lost faith in themselves and in their ability to change course; many men who had lost everything because of their addictions.
"All the things I was promised have come true," some said as they reflected on how Bill and Brent, the managing and program directors, challenged them to "shut up and follow directions," and that if they did they would finally become the man they always wanted to be.
"Are you going to abandon your son again," said another, quoting something very poignant Bill had said to him when he was given a second chance for sobriety and recovery at the "House" after having willfully left prematurely. There was always complete openness, transparency, and rawness as hearts were softened during the share.
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| The Beacon House |
"I know God is in this House," stated another. His heart was full as he gave thanks for the grace and mercy extended to him by his higher power, as well as offering thanks for the love and compassion offered him by the staff and his brothers. There was talk about how there were miracles that occured routinely at the "House" as men came around to themselves and changed their life's course and credited their higher power for the miracle.
"This place is my home," opined many others, noting that they felt more at home among the people at the "House" than even with their own families, noting the positive feelings and comfort they felt. Some longed to be with their families at Christmastime, but then stated that they knew this was where they needed to be.
"You never gave up on me," said various men filled with emotion. They expressed profound appreciation to Bill and Brent, often noting that they seemed like father figures they had never had in their lives and how they looked up to them, and feeling so profoundly grateful for that blessing in their lives. Some talked about second and rare third chances to be admitted to the "House," even relating how Bill and Brent had on occasion sent some guys to pick them up on the streets because they had lost hope in themselves.
"I'm grateful for my brothers," said nearly all the guys who stood in line for a long time for a chance to express their profoundly deep and raw emotions to the guys who had accepted them with open arms and hearts. Some expressed how hesitant they were to engage with others when they first arrived, but how they were greeted with open minds and hearts.
"You showed me the real meaning of family," stated many who had felt they had been so selfish and proud with their own families and who, free from the grasp of addiction, had been able to feel the warmth and love of caring brothers walking similar paths. There really was a feeling of acceptance, forgiveness, caring and love that permeated the hall.
"God's got my life now," announced another, reflecting on how through actively embracing the rules and directions of the "House" and developing a firm belief in a higher power, he felt connected to God and felt His influence in the daily workings at this rehabilitation program.
"I want to sparkle again," said a one-day veteran of the Beacon House, holding a sparkling ornament and using it as metaphor for what he hopes will happen to him there in the coming months and years. Others who shared had been to this tree trimming event for many years but who come back annually to express profound gratitude for their lives given back to them by the staff and brothers of the Beacon House.
On a personal note, I feel to express my deep appreciation to Bill and Brent and the "House" for giving me back my son BJ and for giving him the opportunity to bless the lives of others there. It is continually amazing to me how God worked in his life to help him face his demons, and how in His amazing grace and mercy He has helped him turn his life completely around.
I loved to hear last evening how in his ministry, if I can call it that, at the "House" as part of the young staff, he is touching lives and sharing his knowledge gained through that school of hard knocks. It's one thing to be licensed as a Drug and Alcohol Rehab Counselor, and another to actually be touching hearts on a daily basis. He has been been in the dark place that the guys know well, and can not only relate to them but to call them out when they lie to themselves as he did.
So Merry Christmas to the staff and the guys at the Beacon House. I felt so honored to be in your humble presence. And thank you for my son.
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| Not the staff of Beacon House; just a picture of my son repesenting the "House." |
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