What Lies Beyond the Horizon?

God is moving through my life in an unusual way right now, but I can't quite grasp what's happening, can't seem to sense a theme or see a picture developing.  I think it has something to do with paying a cost, of suffering for our faith, and that doesn't bode well for the future. Trust me, at this point I'm not above seeking out a prophet.

Some of the random thoughts that are collecting in the back of my mind:

1. There are two kinds of alcoholic in the world: those who are in denial and those who are not. One is paying the price, the other is counting the cost.
2. The Sober Guy Who Can't Sleep has a new doctor who recommends taking his meds in the morning instead of at night. Hopefully the answer to his dark, lonely nights may be that simple - he's lost a lot of sleep.  I had a chance to talk and pray with him in the office tonight and heard some of his story. He's leaning into God. Of course, it's a lot easier to lean into God when you can barely stand on your own.
3. I've heard several stories this week (and it's only Tuesday) from alcoholics and addicts about what their addictions have cost them. In short, it cost everything that ever mattered to them.
4. There was a squeegee kid at an intersection downtown tonight. The next time you see someone at an intersection with a card-board sign, ask yourself this: "What would I have to lose before I'd be willing to do that?"
5. Sometimes, life is what happens while you're picking yourself up off the floor.

Comments

[Barbara]

I hope you are planning on doing a second book, if so, this needs to be in it for sure.

[Joan B.]

I'm so glad I found this blog. I'll be back often.

[dudehead]

I've not lost my family or my job or ... yet.
But I sure have bent the hell out of life and some people in my life.

I am very grateful to be sober and clean today. That doesn't mean that I will be tomorrow or next week. My sobriety seems to be like manna - I can't store todays and expect to use it tomorrow - it just spoils.

You know, we alcoholics and addicts can go from counting costs to paying the price quicker than a $2 whore can say yes.

But I think He loves on us drunks and whores through folks like you. Matter of fact, I bet if He were here today, He would be listening to our stories while serving us soup at a shelter or pouring us a cup of jo at an AA meeting. Just seems like that's what He liked to do - kind of like you.

Keep coming back. We need you.

Goodnight.

[Pam Hogeweide]

if it wasn't for christ i'd probably be the kind of woman dudehead describes. yeah, none of us are that many steps away from addicted-destroyed lives. it is a human being with a unique story who is behind that sign. thanks for the reminder.

[[rhymes with kerouac]]

Barbara - The book was a minor trauma.

Joan B. - Welcome! Make yourself at home...

dudehead - We need each other.

Pam - It's true - there is no 'them' anymore.