by Donna Collins Tinsley
The scream of the sirens stopped at a home in our neighborhood. It wasn’t long before I noticed neighbors gathered on the streets. The news that somebody’s daughter died of an accidental overdose made me question, “Why that mother and not me, Lord?”
Her daughter didn’t have half the drug problem my daughter had; yet now she is dead, and there is no second chance for her. Our God is sovereign, and I was a mother He had mercy on. In the last few years I have known several mothers to lose adult children because of addictions. I'm pretty sure none of them thought it would be their last day on earth when they took those pills or narcotics. They didn't think, "Tonight I am going to break my mother's heart."
I belong to a group of people that are affected by loved ones who drink or use drugs. Although it is not a church group, it is a very spiritual group and I have learned a lot about staying sane when many around you live in an insane way. I have come to love many of the people I have met in this group. The funny thing is, my daughter was on her road to recovery when I discovered this group. We had wrestled with her heavy cocaine addiction off and on for most of the 25 years before she started working a recovery program.
The criteria to be able to visit her in Rehab was for me as her mother to attend meetings also. After my first meeting, I decided I would do this for myself; I had found a home.
Going there reminds me of the song by Todd Agnew that has the words,
"Cause we are all broken here,
We are all ashamed
I couldn’t fool you if I wanted to
Our stories are too much the same."
(Lyrics by Todd Agnew, A Corner in Memphis)
Many of us have come to brokenness because of the pain inflicted on our family by loved ones. We are all searching for light to guide us. Where can we find that light?
"You are the light that gives light to the world. A city that is built on a hill cannot be hidden. And people don't hide a light under a bowl. They put it on a lampstand so the light shines for all the people in the house. In the same way, you should be a light for other people. Live so that they will see the good things you do and will praise your Father in heaven.
Matthew 5:14-15 (New Century Version)
Some people wonder why someone would go to a recovery group outside the church? Yet Jesus said, “You are the light that gives light to the world.” Later on He talks about living in a way that the good things you do will give credit to your Father in heaven.
Live so that they will see the good things you do and will praise your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:16 (New Century Version)
Another version is:
"Here's another way to put it: You're here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We're going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don't think I'm going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I'm putting you on a light stand. Now that I've put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you'll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven.
Matthew 5:14-16 (The Message)
The dark world we live in needs a light to see by. Have you ever been in a completely dark room and then just noticed a sliver of light through the crack of the doorway? How much more we will shine in the darkness if we allow ourselves to be used in this way. I want to be a match, a candle or a fire to shine the light of His love. I will not cover my light but expose it to those who need it most, broken people. I can shine through the painful experiences I share and lend hope to others.
The Lord is near to the brokenhearted. I believe broken people can be mended again as the light of Jesus shines on them through us. Shine on!
Donna Collins Tinsley, wife, mother and grandmother, lives in Port Orange, FL and has been included in several magazines, book compilations and wrote the book, “Somebody’s Daughter.” She is a lover of the Lord Jesus and a sister among you. Find her at Facebook or http://thornrose7.blogspot.com/ or email her at thornrose7@aol.com.