One day my Bishop called me into his office. "How are you doing?" He asked. This question reflected the continuing struggle I had with addiction since age 11. I sighed. After countless 12 step meetings in the community, a two and a half month inpatient treatment program, hundreds of hours in a therapist's office - I still couldn't "shake free" of my addiction. I silently resigned myself to always being in my addiction. Recovery just wasn't going to happen for me.
The Bishop picked up a piece of paper and scanned it. "The Church has a recovery program. Maybe you should check it out," he suggested. I had already worked through the 12 steps in a traditional setting, but I nodded. "I'll go," I said.
During the first meeting, as I sat around a table in the High Council room, I was amazed at what I felt. For the first time in many years I felt loved. It was as if my whole body was engulfed in a tidal wave of love. I cried during the meeting. Heavenly Father loved me! He loved me! This was such a personal, intimate experience - I could barely contain my emotions. Even on my best day, I had never experienced such a spiritual experience.
Gone was the doubt. Gone was the hesitancy. And gone was the hopelessness.
Such was the beginning of the greatest journey I have experienced during my mortal existence.
No comments:
Post a Comment