Hi friend,
This past Saturday I had the pleasure of not only attending the David Crowder Band concert, but sharing my story and my book.
The concert was richly rewarding on this journey of mine in sobriety. I talked to so many hurting women who are struggling and looking for help. I spoke with a ten-year-old girl who has a parent who struggles with alcohol; this child is wise beyond her years, and a somber reminder to me of how much our drinking hurts those we love.
When David Crowder sang "come out of the darkness from wherever you’ve been, come broken-hearted; let rescue begin," I thought of all those people in that line waiting to talk to me, to have their book signed. These women who are brave enough to come out of the darkness and share their stories. I was honored to meet a group of women who were in rehab together this past summer and wanted me to sign the very book they read out loud at night while at rehab! The night was influential in numerous ways. I will never forget it.
When the book signing was over and the concert started, I had a moment. A moment where I just went into a dark corner and sobbed. Call it dramatic if you will, but I was just so overwhelmed.
Why? Because this past weekend was opening weekend for deer hunting. That may not mean much to you, but to me it emphasizes that only eight years ago my weekend plans looked very different. Just eight years ago I was alone that weekend and chose to drink the days away. Isolating so I could drink. Pass out. Repeat.
But by God's grace and mercy, this past weekend I met David Crowder, I shared my story with you, and then you lined up to speak with me and have your book signed. This is what God can do with the lowest of the low. That was me. Now He is using me. And even though it can be incredibly daunting, I have learned a lesson about trusting his plans way more than mine!
