Wheeler Mission's Blog

My wife received “one of those phone calls” recently. She learned that someone she grew up with had died. Her friend had been a beauty queen in high school, and was very popular. She came from a loving family and was active in all sorts of pursuits. But something happened to her when she was in her twenties that came to be the story of her life.

She started drinking socially, and as adulthood brought more and more stress, she turned more and more to alcohol to find relief from the burdens of life. She became an alcoholic and while she tried many times to quit – she always returned to her bottle. It took a toll on her body, and by the time she was 60, her liver simply quit working and she passed away.

It’s a sad story for sure. But it also spurs me on to pursue reaching out to those with addictions. They don’t have to be another statistic, like my wife’s friend. Through hard work, they can turn their lives around – there is hope through Jesus Christ.


Rick

He was 15 when he started using drugs. Today, he is 32. He says that in his teen years, he was just looking for a way to have fun. He admits now that his fun times quickly turned to a necessity when his body craved more and more drugs. From this necessity, he moved into what he calls a 17-year living hell of addiction. He completely lost a sense of who he was.

Like many people living on the streets, he felt invisible to others. He had been in contact with some recovery programs in the area, including Wheeler but would never stay long enough to get help. Because he had no place else to go and was tired of living on the streets, he returned to Wheeler. Then one day, while he was in the Day Room at the mission, one of Wheeler’s staff called him by name. Something struck a chord with him. For the first time in a very long time, he heard someone say his name. It made all the difference in the world and it was what started him on a road to recovery. He felt some one cared for him and was willing to help him walk away from drugs.

He entered Wheeler’s Addiction Recovery Program over a year ago and is learning how to live a clean and sober life. He has come to understand that the God who created him never forgot his name.

Rick

I was asked recently to offer the invocation at Mayor Ballard’s State of the City address. I was humbled at the request and thankful that I could offer a prayer in public for the men and women who serve Indianapolis as elected officials.

As Christians, we are urged in Scripture to offer not just prayers for those in authority – but prayers, intercession, and thanksgiving. Have you prayed, interceded or given thanks for our Mayor, Governor, or President lately?

I urge you to read 1 Timothy 2:1-3 and take time today to pray!

Rick

A few years ago, I received a note in the mail that had accompanied a donation to Wheeler Mission. It read simply, “my son is out there.” I sensed the incredible pain and desperation of that mother. Her words made me stop in my tracks. Unknowingly, she had given me the most accurate definition of a homeless person I have yet to read.

Who are the homeless? They are someone’s son. Someone’s mother, brother, or father.

A few years ago, a woman came to stay at our Center. She had been living in her car for a week, and hoped to somehow find a safe and comfortable place to sleep for a night. She had no intention of staying long, or enrolling in a program. Her 30-year alcohol addiction had brought her to this place, yet she felt no need to seek help beyond finding a bed.

It wasn’t until a staff member encouraged her to think about a new way of living that it dawned on her – there is hope left in this world. She entered our long term addiction recovery program and has been sober for almost seven years.

She now holds down a job, is active in the community, and has a lifestyle of helping others. She has experienced reconciliation with her family who thought they had lost her forever to alcohol. Yes, she is someone’s daughter, and they are thrilled to have her back in their lives.

So the next time you see a homeless person on the street, remember the mother’s definition - that homeless person is someone’s child.

Rick

Stephen Curtis Chapman wrote a song years ago with a stanza that often rings in my mind:

You make all things new
You make all things new
You redeem and You transform
You renew and You restore
You make all things new
And forever we will watch and worship You

As we look ahead to new things in 2010, I encourage you to acknowledge the Lord’s working to redeem, transform, renew and restore your life. He is a wonderful God who makes all things new!

2 Corinthians 2:17 & 18a, “if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! All this is from God who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation.”

Rick

“But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.” Luke 2:19

Christmas is often a time of reflection. Years ago, when Mary heard the shepherds glorifying God because of the birth of the Christ Child, she sensed a deep wonder that something incredible was happening. Indeed it was, for there wrapped in swaddling clothes was the Savior of the World. Immanuel had come – God with us.

I encourage you to take some time this week to follow Mary’s example, and ponder, reflecting on the wonder of Christmas.

Rick

It’s that time of year again. I drive though my subdivision and see neighbors busily hanging lights and evergreen wreaths. The tree was lit on Monument Circle and radio stations are playing Christmas music. We are surrounded by reminders that Christmas is coming.
It seems odd, doesn’t it, that with all these reminders, too many of us actually miss Christmas. I mean we miss the real reason we celebrate Christmas.
That “real reason” is stated in Luke 2:10 when the angel said to the shepherds, “do not be afraid, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.” Good news! The good news is that Jesus is born and through Him we can be reconciled to God.
Don’t miss the reason for the season. Take some time today to read Luke 2:8-20.

Rick