My name is Kerry and I am a believer who struggles with forgiveness. Rebellion ruled my life before I started my recovery process. Listening to the advice of others never interested me. The only thing that I was interested in was being on the streets and drinking with my friends. I didn’t care about anyone or anything. My destructive lifestyle was spiraling out of control and I didn’t care about the consequences of my actions. I was rude and arrogant and definitely wasn’t interested in having a relationship with God. While under the influence of alcohol I started having relations with men that I didn’t even know, why? because nothing mattered to me. I was sent to prison for robbery and it was here that I notice a group of ladies who came to teach every week. I got involved with the YUGO Celebrate Recovery group and started my own recovery.
I
learned about Jesus Christ through CR and I realized that He loves and forgives
me. When I heard this I was over-joyed because I needed to know that somebody
loved me despite all of the mistakes I had made in the past. CR has taught me how to forgive others and
has helped me to accept the support from my fellow inmates. I make mistakes but
now I am able to receive encouragement and love from those around me. They
encourage me not to give up when I go through trials.
Step
6 touched me in particular as I needed to change my character defects. I was
tired of the way that I had been living and I felt that I couldn’t go on alone.
I asked God to change my way of thinking and it has happened. I am able to listen and understand others
without judging. I am able to forgive
and have let go of any resentment that had been in my heart. I am also able to
ask for forgiveness to those whom I have harmed or hurt.
One
of the benefits of going through the CR program is that I have a feeling of
peace in my life. I am free of the burdens of my past and it no longer haunts
me. I am free! Now I can encourage
others that God loves them and wants to release them of their burdens but it
can only be achieved by having a relationship with Him.
Thank
You and God Bless.
*all
names have been changed to protect their identity*
