“$5 for one raffle ticket and $8 for two tickets. How many would you like?”

People handed me 20s and 50s and 100s at tonight’s Acceptance Recovery Center, a symposium to support women in recovery. They gave big bills, but also have big hearts. My friend Brandy is trying to open up a women’s recovery center this year – and she is doing big things to make a woman’s shelter happen.

I am BLOWN AWAY by the generosity of this community for recovery. I am BLOWN AWAY by how women currently in recovery showed up and openly shared their hearts beating with redemption, strength, and hope. I am BLOWN AWAY by how their actions and words reach out and welcome others who are struggling with addiction.

With every dollar handed over and every pork dinner eaten tonight, a small group of high-risk woman out of prison will have the chance to live in an environment of love. To receive help. And to get support from others who have been there.

I feel so inadequate to write about the stories shared – I am not addicted to drugs or alcohol. I haven’t personally experienced much of what many others in the room have known. But, I have been affected by addiction – so have you.

Why am I writing about addiction? Or, why do I have a passion for this community?

God is big. He has intersected my life in a real and tangible way with Acceptance Recovery Center (ARC). I sat in amazement tonight as I listened to Brandy talk about her journey over the past year with ARC. My eyes teared up as I listened. My heart felt full and filled with joy.

Why is Brandy helping people? Brandy aims to decriminalize addiction (short answer), but her long answer will pull at your heart like it has done mine (ask her sometime about abandonment, abuse, being displaced). It’s not a fun topic, but real. She can and is using her experiences to help others make change

It started with 1 unit. 4 men. January 1, 2016.

Now, there are 44 lives being changed. 

Not only are 44 men working to change their lives, but also 138 children are being empowered by having their fathers in their lives. These children are being impacted – and this makes my heart swell in thanks to the tiny miracles God is doing. God is giving young boys and girls fathers who fight for good and fight against darkness and pain. God is giving families a chance for healing. God is giving fathers hope and teaching them skills for life. God is blessing!

I want to be on board with that. I want to be on board with men and women changing their lives. I want to do everything in my power to fight alongside them with encouragement for Brandy’s gifting. Daily, she (and her team) is fighting for men. And soon, she will be fighting for women who live together in a beautiful home for recovery. 

Tonight I jumped in and sold raffle tickets for Brandy – because her heart and her actions are modeling for me where I want to be (Brandy, if you’re reading this I am learning from YOU! Thank you for your friendship.).

I want to be a person who is living my life for others.

I want to be a person who calls out others in love.

I want to be someone who is in the deep and messy places – and trusts God is good.

In light there is no darkness, and evil is messy. Heartbroken and hurting people are messy. But in the messes, God heals, restores, and provides hope. He pursues.

I desire to learn from Brandy. To encourage her. And to cheer her on in the fight she is winning. If you want to join us, visit my OPPORTUNITIES page for the next date we are serving dinner together.

“If I say, ‘Surely the darkness will hide me
    and the light become night around me,’
  even the darkness will not be dark to you;
    the night will shine like the day,
    for darkness is as light to you.”

Psalm 139:11-12