My Sister Gay’s Second Installment: The Functioning Years

For the first installment of Gay’s story, click here.

My beloved Sisters, it is my great honor to bring you my sister, Gay’s, second installment in her mind-blowing, God-glorifying story of redemption. By all means, let your friends and relatives know to watch for these installments if they could really use this hope. Boy, have I ever been desperate for it in my own wrestling matches with the enemy. You do not need to worry that I am going to vacate the blog until her series reaches its conclusion. No such luck! I’ll still be right here in the middle of things. I also want you to know that her story in many ways is part of mine and my story in many ways is part of hers. As God would have it, our stories grow from the same roots and braid their ways like vines up the same tree. Before I send you forward to read this wonderful second portion of her story, many of you are requesting another livestream and I’m in the mood for another one myself! Aren’t they a blast?? We’ll do one next week – perhaps Wednesday so that I can give my solid attentions to Tuesday night Bible study. I’ll let you know the day and time several days in advance so we can plan.  OK, my beloved fellow sojourners, I’ll turn this over now to Gay! I love you so much, my dearest older sister. God’s glory radiates all over you. Thank you for sowing into this blog community. They are so dear to me.

I sat on the side of our bed in 1986 and said to my husband, Tut, “I think I’ve got a drinking problem.”

Ladies, before I move on I want you to re-read that sentence and let the weight of the year 1986 sink in all the way down to your toes.  I finally quit drinking, after profound suffering, in 2009, TWENTY-THREE YEARS after God gave me the first word of warning.

The single most significant event in my life to that date had occurred just six short months before:  the birth of our first born son, our sweet, red-haired, smart as a whip Zachary.  I was 31 years old.  Mind you, I had not drunk a drop of alcohol during the entire pregnancy, not one.  Yet a few months later I was beginning the most difficult conversation of my life.  One that I would continue to have for the rest of my life, even in sobriety.  I had an urgency inside of me once Zach was born to be responsible.  Now, I have an inkling that most people, especially women, decide to be responsible before 31 years of age.  But not me.  To this day, I don’t know why I had a wild streak down my back that wouldn’t quit.  I was a rebel from the time I can remember and wild as a March hare.  I either didn’t think I would get caught or gave no consideration whatsoever to the consequences.  I wasn’t scared of the devil himself and I sure wasn’t scared of my parents!  Then.

Tut and I had been married 2-1/2 years at that time and we had a good marriage although not devoid of problems, mostly growing pains.  Neither one of us had been raised in terribly functional homes and we were simply doing what we knew to do.  We were partners, “teamies,” crazy about each other and we were drinking buddies.  We drank every single night if we needed to or not and that was just the way we lived for most of our married life.  I heard the words “drinking problem” come out of my mouth and I feared they were true but Tut casually disagreed and I was looking for any reason to believe otherwise.  So I shut up and kept drinking, beer and wine thankfully, which wreaked little havoc in our lives other than the war that was beginning inside my head.  Am I alcoholic, like those OTHER people who have to go to meetings or am I making a big deal over nothing?  Surely I am overreacting.  I should be able to control my drinking.  After all, I’m me!  I’m smart and fairly attractive and married and daughter of Al and Aletha Green who raised me in church where I gave my heart to Jesus, was baptized at 9 years old, sang in the choir and went to G.A.’s (a young girls’ mission organization).  I know right from wrong and drinking excessively is wrong, especially when I have a child to raise.  So there.  Problem solved.  I’ll cut down.  I will control.

Five years later, age 36, I was sitting at my computer at the Fortune 500 company I had been employed by for many years, where I was well respected and performed with excellence.  My head was spinning and fuzzy.  I was accustomed to working with a hangover, it didn’t even phase me, but this particular morning I couldn’t think of ANYTHING except for the fact that I was baffled at this dad blasted drinking problem and the fact that it would not go away!  I picked up the phone, dialed Charter Hospital of Sugar Land and made an appointment to be assessed by a substance abuse counselor.  It was a radical move!  After being accepted into the first of a long string of out-patient programs that I would not finish, I walked into my first AA meeting and received my first AA book which we most affectionately call the Big Book, not to be confused with the Good Book.  I was scared to death to walk into my first meeting, afraid that I might see someone I knew or they would see me and think that I was alcoholic.  I didn’t hear a word in that meeting but took the book home and began to read in the privacy of my own home, with a tall glass of vodka and cranberry juice.  The Big Book was written in 1939 and sounded, well, hokey to me.  In fact, it was the most ridiculous thing I had ever read in my life!  I slammed it shut, gulped down the last of my drink, felt the love (the love it had for me, the love I had for it, and the love I had for myself), the elusive warm and fuzzy “everything is right with the world” magic of the first drink and I put that dang book out for my next garage sale.

The “functioning years” rocked on through elementary school, middle school, the birth of Zach’s brother, Joshua, my parents’ move to Sugar Land, membership at a prominent neighborhood church, teaching preschool Sunday School, PTO, Cub Scouts, basketball, soccer, the Houston Rockets winning the NBA championship two years in a row (I had to put that in!), 9/11, etc.  I stopped at the liquor store right after work every day, never missed even one day and never repeated the same liquor store in one week.  I bought a pint of vodka, never more than that because I knew I would finish the bottle no matter what size it was.  I either poured myself a drink in the car or simply twisted off the cap and drank it straight from the bottle.  I couldn’t wait to get home which was only about 2 miles.  I floated in and out of AA meetings yet never ever thought any of that stuff applied to ME.  I was living my life right (except for this pesky drinking problem which I was trying my best to HIDE).  I was doing the right things.  I came from a good family.  I went to work every day and never drank before or at work.  I kept the laundry done, family fed and got the kids to school.  I taught Sunday School, for Pete’s sake.  I prayed to God many times to take away my desire to drink alcohol but, for reasons I know NOW but did not know THEN, He didn’t.  I would arise hopeful each morning only to make the decision to quit tomorrow over and over and over again until tomorrow never came.

On August 7, 1998, my mother died right in front of our eyes.  She had been diagnosed with breast cancer three years prior to that and somehow I thought I was prepared.  I was a little, ok a LOT, mad at God because I had gotten on my knees many times and prayed that He would spare my mother’s life yet … He didn’t.  We didn’t only lose our mother that dreaded day but we lost our glue.  All five of us scattered to the wind and dealt with her loss in our own way.  I drank.  It worked.  It took away the pain and if your mother had just died, you would drink too!!!  I gave up trying to control my drinking the day my mother died.  It seemed acceptable under those circumstances.  I was too sad, too lonely and, frankly, too broken without her.  I had talked to her 6 times a day on the phone and seen her daily for 8 years.  She had raised Zachary while I was working and had come back to life herself at the news of our expecting another baby.  Josh’s middle name is Cage after Micajah Rountree, my mother’s father, because I wanted to name him after HER.  She wasn’t perfect but she was Mom and we adored her.  She was the Queen of Everything.  I still feel her loss deeply and I’m fighting back an all-out cry as I write this — but I’m not drinking (ha!).  Praise Jesus of Heaven and Earth!!

That was the beginning of the end.  It was when I stopped caring if I controlled or not.  I am quite sure that the devil was jumping for joy on that day!  He’d gotten me and he was about to carry me away.  That was August of 1998 and I finally put down my last drink on April 19, 2009, more than ten full years later.  Ten years of dwelling in the pit, ten years of spiraling out of control, ten years of the descent into the maelstrom.  Hell.

Fast forward to August, 2009.  I was sitting on a park bench outside a Methodist Church in Pasadena, Texas in the early warmth of a beautiful summer morning.  It was beautiful instead of South Texas hot because I was grateful to be alive.  As I let the sun shine down on my face, I thanked God for my life and four months of sobriety.  It was a miracle!  A dark car with tinted windows drove up slowly in front of me and the window lowered only halfway.  The woman inside spoke quietly, “I’m looking for an AA meeting.”  I said, “This is it.  Don’t be scared.  I’ll go in with you.”  She parked and joined me on that bench for a good five minutes before we walked inside.  Her name was Diane and she shared with me that she had come to realize she had a serious drinking problem.  She was married to a man she loved like crazy and had a son about twelve years old.  She said, “I know the stories of some alcoholics, the losses they suffer and the bottoms they have to reach.  I love my husband and son so much and I don’t want that to happen to me, to our family.  I know I’m alcoholic and I want to stop now.”  I was able to tell her in a nutshell what God had done in my life and was continuing to do through the program of Alcoholics Anonymous.  We walked into that meeting together and I introduced her to my sponsor.  She was no longer quiet but felt welcomed and accepted.  I had breakfast with Diane and our mutual sponsor on New Years Eve Day 2011, just a month ago.  She’s been sober 2-1/2 years now and her family is stronger than ever before.  She never picked up another drink after she walked with me through those doors.  She found God in that room and never looked back.  He’s so good, isn’t He?  Everyone doesn’t have to pound the hot concrete with bare feet, somehow they are able to listen to the early warnings and learn from the journeys of others.  They are able to humble themselves enough to listen and apply.  They are able to see God intersect their lives long before the madness begins.  And have life, and have it to the full.

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” John 10:10 New International Version (NIV)

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341 Responses to “My Sister Gay’s Second Installment: The Functioning Years”

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Comments:

  1. 201
    Maria says:

    Thank you Gay for sharing!! Thank You Jesus!!!You love us so!!!

  2. 202
    Vanessa says:

    Thank you again for sharing. It’s so good to see God’s faithfulness. I needed to hear this. God Bless you!

  3. 203
    Betty M says:

    This ia a powerful testimony for anyone caught in a strong hold of addicitons and not just alcohol. Some of us felt relief might be in the next pill or the next therapy session but strangely enuf the relief does not come at least not for long. We can be Christains all our lives and still get caught up in addictions. I looked back at a piece I had written for a NAMI conference about 5 yrs ago now and at that time my relief was in Wellbutrin, Lexipro, Cymbalta and Seroquil all at the same time with Clonopin for anxiety thrown in besides!!! It is a wonder I could even think!! Now, relief is found in My Savior Jesus Christ totally! No drugs no therapy! It was miraculous. I was never really hooked on the drugs they just did nothing for me. They really could not do a thing for my depression. Only seaching the scriptures and Bible study turned every thing around. I still see my psychitrist on occasion but he sees me as a very interesting case. A case in which he sees no mood swings no apparent depression just a face aglow with something intriguing! Priase Him!
    Just keep looking to Him and we rejoice daily with you in this victory. Betty M from ND

    • 203.1
      Diane Rogers says:

      Hi Betty – I’m so excited I saw your post. Depression almost took my life!! I am now down to just one 30 mg Cymbalta a day. I’ve just joined a women’s bible study. I’m not seeing my therapist because of an issue with my husband from a session he attended with me. The Lord is lighting my path brighter and brighter all the time!! Bless you for being off your meds all together!! Blessings, Friend!!

  4. 204

    Gay,

    I cling to the God of power in your story and look forward to it coming every week. He is using you to minister to me. Thank you for being willing and honest.

  5. 205
    Courtney says:

    Thank you for posting your story Gay. My husband is an alcoholic, and it has led to our seperation and soon divorce. Well, that and some other “perfect storm” conditions. My father was an alcoholic as well. I see both of them in your story. Its nice having an “inside” look to something I’ve dealt with my whole life.
    Thanks again and may God continue to give us ALL the peace and strength we need to get through our battles.
    Courtney

  6. 206
    Connie says:

    Gay,
    It is great and wonderful to hear a modern day redemption story. He is alive and well! Thanks for your willingness…
    LOVE, Connie (from bible study)

  7. 207
    Nancy says:

    Beautiful; you’re story is an inspiration and a testimony on how God never gives up on us! Gay, I can remember a time I felt God speaking to me and warning me not to become involved in a relationship. As you can guess, one thing lead to another and I allowed the relationship to blossom into a huge destructive mess! God and His tender mercies didn’t leave me or my children the mess I created.

    Your story reminded me of so many tender mercies od God…thank you for sharing!

    • 207.1
      Gay says:

      Nancy — I’ve done the same thing in more than ONE relationship! While I was doing steps with my sponsor, we saw a pattern of relationship-relapse, relationship-relapse, over and over again. She told me, “NO RELATIONSHIPS!!!” And I listened. I still haven’t had one past a cup of coffee or dinner. When I get that warning thing in my stomach, I’m OUTTA THERE!! I’m with you, girlie.

      Loved you are,
      Gay

  8. 208
    Erin says:

    Thank you for sharing your story. I am 35 years old the mother of two beautiful children, but I have put alcohol first for a number of years. Hopefully, today is my first day of sobriety. I don’t know if I can do it, though. Again thank you for sharing.

    • 208.1
      Beth says:

      Our Darling Erin, we are cheering you on and we believe in the power of Christ within you as you believe in Him. May He blow your mind with His sustaining power. I am sure you’ll hear from Gay, too, but I just wanted you to know how much I care.

    • 208.2
      Jackie says:

      I’m praying for you Erin. Jesus did it all for me……He will do it for you. It’s there for the taking sweet friend…..this would be FREEDOM. Galatians 5:1

    • 208.3
      Gay says:

      Erin — YOU GO GIRL!!! You are in my prayers today, dear one. I couldn’t do this alone, Erin. God put an ARMY of people into my life to help me. Do not be afraid to run on down to your church, or to a friend’s house, or to the nearest AA meeting. DO NOT BE AFRAID. I think Beth says that is the most repeated command in the Bible. I’m dying to know how you’re doing today. Let us know, ok? This was my mantra for a long time:

      For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11

      I couldn’t figure out what those plans were but I knew what they weren’t. They weren’t for me to DRINK!!

      God is with you, Erin. I’m with you. We’re all with you. You go girl!!

      Loved you are,
      Gay

    • 208.4
      Sherry says:

      Sweet Erin,

      I am praying for you and will pray every day that by the power of Christ in you, you will rise up and take back that which the enemy is trying to steal from you. This is your moment honey, and by the power of the same Holy Spirit that raised our precious savior from the dead – YOU CAN DO IT in HIS power and in HIS strength and in HIS might. You can choose to put Him first.

      Stand and press forward sister-girl! And we will shout the victory with you.

  9. 209
    Jennifer T says:

    Gay –
    Your story is just sending glory waves in all directions! You keep writing, Siesta. We’re all praying you on.
    I was getting my teeth cleaned on Thursday morning (sorry for the ‘too much information’) and my dental tech was telling me all about her brother-in-law and how he’s killing himself with booze. She knows I’m a ‘Jesus Freak’ I guess and so she just kept going. It’s been years and years of abuse and she was visibly upset even in sharing this with me. I immediately thought of your courage in sharing part 1 and asked if she would like me to forward a link to your story. She was SO receptive and… as the Lord would have it… installment 2 was waiting when I got home. I gave an extraordinarily gleeming smile to Jesus as I sent her the link. Thank GOD for your bravery, Gay. So excited to hear what the Lord will do FOR and THROUGH you because of your obedience.

  10. 210
    Liz Taylor says:

    THANK YOU for sharing your struggle and the fact that God has healed you. I am slowly learning that God loves me, too. 🙂 When life seems to try to push me in the pit, with one crisis after another, I often wonder why God won’t give me a break. Then I think of poor Joseph and remember that God does not promise an easy life. The only thing I can do is obey. Thank you Gay, for reminding me today that I need to listen to that still, small voice….especially when it yells “WATCH OUT!”

  11. 211
    Delinda Neville says:

    Oh sweet sweet sister Gay,

    On December 8th I drove a sister in Christ to a treatment center 5 hours from our town. Her journey has become my journey. I used your sister’s book, Praying God’s Word to calm my anxious heart in times of doubt and worry. And also to strengthen her via the addiction chapter.

    During worship this morning, that same sister walked up beside me to join me in praising God for His continued deliverance of her life. I am moved by God’s gentle ways He uses delivery: my sister at church and now my sister via the blog, to speak love to me.

    Standing ovation to our audience of One.
    xoxx
    D

  12. 212
    Tricia says:

    Gay, thank you for your bravery in working on your alcoholism and sharing your story. May the Lord our God continue to bless you in your endeavors!

  13. 213
    moosemama says:

    Rejoicing with you for your redeemed life, Gay. So glad you have committed to putting your story here for us.

    Really, is there anyone whose life hasn’t been touched by alcoholism….themselves, their loved ones, friends….

    People need to know there is hope in Christ. Bless you for sharing.

    Melana

  14. 214
    anne says:

    WOW! Thank you for this encouragement to never give up on those who struggle with addiction to alcohol. I have a dear loved one who has been enslaved to it for 25 years and I am convicted of my lack of consistent prayer for God to grab hold of her as he did you, Gay.

    Your story gives God MUCH GLORY!!!

  15. 215
    Pam Houston says:

    Dear Gay,
    I’ve been waiting for your 2nd installment and you didn’t disappoint! This past week my dear sister divulged some truths to me that gave me greater understanding into life-long “drivers” with her and alcohol. It is true, “All is grace!” Thank you for your transparency and keeping it real. Hope is kept alive and faith is unfolding. Just amazing grace! God is using you, big time! PTL

  16. 216
    Janet Cline says:

    What a cliff-hanger…..I can hardly wait for installment #3! Yay, God!!

  17. 217
    Ginny says:

    Thank you, Gay. You encourage me so…

  18. 218
    Dee Dee says:

    Gay-Your story resonnates with me only with food and sugar in particular. The part where you said everyday you would wake up and try to do better. Ugh!!! That is me. I come from alcoholics and would never drink. Yet the enemy hooked me in another deadly way. I am blessed by your story and remember praying for you even though I didn’t know who you were. Thanks for sharing your life with us! Dee Dee

  19. 219
    Donna B. says:

    Oh, I did not want this to end! You leave me wanting more…more of the story…more of redemption…can’t wait for the next installment. Thank you Gay!

  20. 220
    theharbormom says:

    Gay, what a wonderful story. My favorite part is when you reached out and grabbed the hand of Diane, walking into that meeting together. I imagine it like a line a people heading up a trail. As soon as the person in front helped you up, you turned and lent a hand to the next person.

    Beth, as a sibling of an alcoholic I can imagine your joy at this point in her life. I was so glad to “meet” my brother again as a clean and sober person. It was a dream come true for my family.

    Thank you for sharing. I look forward to more!

  21. 221
    Jo says:

    Hi Gay, thanks again for your honest and powerful words of what God has done for you – and what He offers to others. If you get a chance, I would love if you’d share what you learned when you said, “I prayed to God many times to take away my desire to drink alcohol but, for reasons I know NOW but did not know THEN, He didn’t.

    • 221.1
      Gay says:

      Hi Jo — I knew I was going to have to speak to that some day. Haha, here goes. To begin with, I believe that God wanted me in the rooms of AA, doing the work (the steps) and also carrying the message to the alcoholic who still suffers. He had returned me to AA over and over again but I could not get HUMBLE enough to include myself in that fellowship. I was not one of them. I was too good for that. He needed me to understand that I was not. I also had a LOT of baggage that was blocking me from Him. The 12 Steps started the unblocking process and I started being IN RELATIONSHIP with Him rather than just BELIEVING. I think that I’m saying that He required (and still does require) a lot of WORK from me (and from most of us), He wanted me to have willingness, humility, gratitude, compassion, open-mindedness, a ton of honesty, etc., ETC. He has delivered me long-term, QUALITY sobriety and all I had to do was ask and then OBEY. For me, James was correct, “Faith without works is dead.” I had thought in the early days that if I prayed earnestly enough, meant it enough, was sincere enough, then POOF! I would never drink again. I’ll expound a bit more on that as I get to the good part. Thanks for your comment.

      Loved you are, Jo!
      Gay

  22. 222
    Neasha Egbo says:

    enjoyed!

  23. 223
    Anon says:

    Gay,
    Thank you. Your 2nd installment sounds so much like me. I know I need to get to AA and give it a real try. I feel so defeated. There are a lot of us out here–look good on the outside, teaching SS, active in bible studies, but crying at home and full of shame on the inside. I have read The Ragamuffin Gospel and just finished Brennan’s latest book. I am scared to death I won’t ever be free. Please keep writing and showing us Hope,
    Anon

    • 223.1
      fuzzytop says:

      Your post touched me deeply… I am praying for you, for your freedom from what has you bound.

      Love,
      Adrienne

  24. 224
    sue says:

    THANK YOU!!! I am a 36 yr. old mother of 4 married to my husband of 11 years. I have been praying and fasting for my husband for 8 years to be delivered from alcohol. What you have been writing has given me hope. Thank you for sharing yourself with people you don’t even know. “For such a time as this.” What you write is not in vain. I can not even begin to express the timing of these posts. Praising God for his compassionate mercy, grace and tenderness.

  25. 225
    Kim says:

    Thanks so much for sharing Gay! The love of Jesus just shines through you,and I can feel its warmth!

  26. 226
    Jennifer D. says:

    Gay-
    Please keep sharing! God has such great plans for your story – so many NEED to hear your journey and perspective. Your honesty is refreshing. I believe it will help those struggling with the chains of addiction as well as those who love them. You are expressing what so mnay need to hear.

    I pray that you feel God’s love surrounding you and reminding you what a blessing you are!!

  27. 227
    Esperanza R.Busot says:

    Dear sisters in God thank you for sharing your story of tribulations,aflixion,courage,repentance and love, triumphant love. That is God’s greater gift to human kind,to be able to give and accept love. He in His infinite Mercy allow us to share in His Glory to LOVE. The most exemplary example is the love for our children;natural, adopted or just care for,and to be able to share in love with another human being. It is so simple and at the same time “The grater gift”.

  28. 228
    Mary Watkins says:

    Dear Gay,
    What courage! Thank you for sharing your story. Each one of us can relate to what you have shared. No matter how big the giants we face are, your testimony assures us that there is no giant too big for our God to handle. Our Lord is patient and persistent. He does not give up on us even when we give up on ourselves. Thank you, Lord.

    Gay, I look forward to the next time you share with us.
    Big Hugs to you today!

  29. 229
    Leticia says:

    Thank you for sharing your story. I too have had a life-long battle with alcoholism and drugs. I have been sober for 7 days. I made it to two years and then relapsed. Today I thank God my healer and keeper of my tears. He would like for me to smile more and lighten up, because He has overcome all of my troubles. Your story gave me and my husband hope on a very dark and troubled day. THANK YOU AND GOD BLESS YOU!!

  30. 230

    Gay~ I have tears of joy running down my face right now for you and how the Lord has brought you through your addiction. Praise Him in how he is using your story & experiences in mighty ways to help others!

    Thank you for your obedience and courage to share.

  31. 231
    Kelly Morris says:

    Gay – thank you again for sharing your story. The freedom we have in Christ is unleashed as we share His glory in our lives. I hope you are feeling the outpouring of love from the community of believers who are sharing your story. Bless you! I will continue to pray for you as you press on in Christ Jesus.

    Beth – after you gave Gay the platform for her first installment, I commented that I was encouraged not to give up on my sister. Within a couple of days of praying again for my sister, she reached out to contact not only me, but other family members as well. It is a start. God is good and God is faithful.

    We are doing your Daniel series on Sunday nights for Bible study this semester. During the homework for Week 2, you mentioned Gay – not by name, but by circumstance. This was probably in 2005-2006 when you wrote the words. I know she had been on your heart much more than that, but again, I was encouraged not to give up on my sister.

    Thank you Beth, for being such a godly example to me and to others. I am blessed because of it! Love you, Sister!

  32. 232
    sabrina says:

    Hey Gay! you are a glory to God. I am praising Him for you and the healing words you now share. He is everything and everything I need. i love you!

  33. 233
    Joann Brothers says:

    Thank you Gay, for you love and bravery in sharing your story. God is good!!

  34. 234
    Shelly Story says:

    Gay, your courage, honesty, and faith are bringing glory to our God. Thanks so much. Please know you can trust us with the details of the years in maelstrom. I’m riveted to hear it all.
    Shelly

  35. 235
    Virginia says:

    Being the daughter of an alcoholic, I’m enjoying reading this. Thanks!

  36. 236
    Danielle Gahman says:

    Thanking Jesus for you this morning, Gay, and rejoicing in His amazing grace and power! Greater is He that is in us than he that is in the world! (IJn 4:4) Thank you for your transparency, your courage and for reminding me once again how great our God is!

  37. 237
    Victoria says:

    I teared up reading that story…your story…I can’t imagine in some ways, and then I think back to my own addictions and I feel your pain…just in a different way…a different poison..
    Thank you for stepping out of the boat and sharing with us… That means a lot and gives great inspiration!
    xoxo

  38. 238
    Jill says:

    Gay,
    Your story gave me a heaping helping of Hope today, and that is exactly what I needed.

  39. 239
    Monica Smith says:

    Gay;

    I love the rawness of your testimony. It is perfect, right and true. Your words and journey are perfect for anyone who is struggling with an addiction as well as any type of lack mentality.
    Be encouraged.

    Monica

  40. 240
    Lisa Firebaugh says:

    Dearest Gay,
    Thank you so much for continuing to share your story.I love you so much for your willingness to be honest and transparent. I have been studying Jonah,and it has come to my attention that one of my new favorite verses in Jonah is Jonah 3:1″Then the Word of the LORD came to Jonah A SECOND TIME.” He’s the God of the second, third, fourth, etc.chances. Praise the LORD for His grace. You are dripping with it!Isn’t He the best?! Your story brings tears to my eyes and I can hardly wait for more. I love you dear sister.
    On a side note, in a weird way you sound like our Beth in the way you write…Or, maybe she sounds like you?! (Smile)If I was there, I would hug on your neck!

  41. 241
    sheila says:

    I love that God has given you a great sense of humor, continue to shine! In God’s love, sheila

  42. 242
    Diane Rogers says:

    Gay, thank you so much for such a moving story. I have been sober since Feb. 1, 2007. It was an out patient program I was in for depression that forced me to go to AA. Thank the Lord for stories like yours that shows people they can rise above their addictions and the evil one’s strongholds! Blessings to you!

  43. 243
    Monica says:

    I can hardly wait for the rest of the story!

  44. 244
    Carolyn says:

    Thank you so much for sharing your story. Our God is amazing! I have a son who will have his 3rd year sober birthday next month. He is not currently walking with the Lord but your story encourages me to keep praying and believing God is working in his heart in ways I don’t see right now. God bless you!

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    Dawn says:

    Gay, Thanks so much for your story. This is why, especially women, people need to stick together, share and support one another. I’ve been running myself for a long time and have finally put it in God’s trusting hands. Isn’t that what it’s all about? Trust. It costs us everything we have but the return is so GREAT!
    Be BLESSED!!
    Your sister in God!

  46. 246
    Fran says:

    Now, this right here is giving people some hope!!!! Sweet Gay…lives will be transformed, and addiction understood, and hope put into the hearts of countless men and women through your testimony!!! I celebrate with you and I praise Him for what He has done and continues to do through you!!!

    Lots of hugs!
    Fran
    TN

  47. 247
    Diane says:

    God bless you for telling your story, Gay. I have never struggled with alcoholism but know the strong almost irresistible pull of other addictions. It is so true that “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” John 10:10 New International Version (NIV)Satan wants to destroy us; but Jesus wants us to have LIFE. He is stronger, but we have to let Him lead. Praise his name! May all glory go to Him as you tell your story.

  48. 248
    janet says:

    Gay, thank you for being so honest! Not one bit of sugar coating…the truth of your story is so powerful and encouraging. I know that God is using you and your life story to show others the hope of Jesus Christ.

  49. 249
    Anita says:

    Thank you so much for sharing your powerful testimony Gay, I loved reading it and praising God for His faithfulness. May He continue to bless you and use your testimony for His glory 🙂

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    cindy says:

    ive been wondering if i have an alcohol problem. i dont consider myself an alcoholic. But i do drink wine almost every night because it helps me get to sleep. i know my limits and i stay within them as far as how much wine. what do u think? cindy

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