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Get High on Life

HAROLD KELLER / L’Observateur / September 13, 1999

Last week, after speaking to a group of clients at a treatment center, one man came up to me and asked if we could have a few moments in private.

As he began to speak, he started to cry. In between the tears and sobbing,he said, “I feel like I’m going crazy. I wake up at night with nightmares ofmy youth.” He continued to share with me about his early childhood. “Mydad and mom beat me as far back as I can remember,” he said. “I stilldream about the beatings and it’s been over 25 years since I left home. Iwas only 13 when I ran away from home because I couldn’t take it anymore.” “Are your mom and dad still living?” I asked. “Don’t know,” heanswered. “Haven’t heard from them or seen them since.” “Do you everwonder what happened to them?” I questioned. “No, and I don’t care,” heanswered. “I just want to be able to escape those terrible nightmares.”Curiously, I asked him what happened when he left home at the age of 13.

“I got a ride with a carnival and lived that lifestyle for a few years. Thatwill make you grow up fast. It showed me how to survive on the streets.I’ve been just existing all those years. I’ve never really lived,” he said, ashe continued to weep.

“I’ve lived from city to city, doing drugs, living in homeless shelters at times, and just doing anything to survive. I’m tired of living like a rat. Iwant to quit drugs and change my life,” he said.

I shared with him about a personal relationship with Jesus and he was interested in hearing more. “Now, if you really want to flee from all yourtorment, you have to do one thing,” I said. “What?” he asked, anxiously.”You have to forgive your mom and dad for everything they ever did to you and pray for their salvation,” I said. “I can’t do that,” he said. I continued,”Listen, son, (I talked to him as a father) you really have no choice if you want to be free and have peace. I’ll also guarantee another thing. If youpray and ask God to forgive you for all your wrongs and, in your heart, forgive your mom and dad, you’ll get to see them again one day, if they’re still alive. I believe God will heal all your hurts if you will humbleyourself and forgive, as God forgives you.” We then held hands and prayed,not only for him, but also for his mom and dad. “God is starting the healingright now,” I told him.

I’ve personally had a little suffering in my life, most of it self-inflicted, but no way can I identify with his suffering. Why does God allow this? Iheard it mentioned that He does so for three reasons.

First – God allows suffering so that we might have the capacity to enter into the sorrow and afflictions of others.

Second – God allows suffering so that we have to depend on Him.

Third – God allows suffering so that we might learn to be grateful and give thanks in everything.

I firmly believe that this young man will one day be able to counsel others who are suffering. Now he is at a point in his life where he has no choicebut to depend on God. When his hurt is completely healed, he will bethankful that God rescued him from a mere existence to a life filled with purpose.

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