When I fell in love with my husband, I was certain that God had brought us together. He was nothing like anyone I had ever dated - or wanted to date for that matter. But, from the very start, I felt a very strong feeling like this was the person I was going to marry. I loved him with all my heart, and he was quick to tell me he loved me too. In fact, the very first night we went out. It wasn't really a date, but we met at the movies. When we left, he chased me down I-55 and flagged me down because he didn't know where I lived and didn't have my phone number. I thought anyone who would do something like that, must be pretty special.
It didn't take too long after our wedding for me to realize just how "special" this relationship was going to be. There were days that I couldn't believe I was living the way that I was. In looking back over our hardships, though, the thing that always amazes me is that I continued to love him. Now, this was not the sappy, wimpy, "stand by your man" kind of love - because there were many days I just wanted to knock his block off. This was a deep, abiding kind of love. I can't explain it in my human-ness, because it is only through God that I believe we can love someone we don't even like.
Once again, scripture was used to bring this home to me. It is evident how highly God thinks of love as it is the common thread throughout the entire Bible. One that popped out at me is in I John where the scripture says "Love one another, for love is of God." As best I can tell, "one another" means everyone - not just those we like. The second part of this really hit home - "love is of God". The NIV says "love comes from God". If we are depending on anyone else to make us feel loved, we will always be disappointed! Loves comes from God! How much did God love us? Enough to send His only son to die for us. Did we do something to deserve this love? NO! This hit me like a ton of bricks. All my life, I had looked to things on this earth to make me feel loved - my family, my things, my church, my job, etc. Are these things important? Sure. Are they part of what makes us who we are? Of course. Will they every fulfill our lives the way that God can? NEVER. I realized that I needed to focus on my relationship with God - to realize that He is the source of my love, and to strive to love others as He first loved me. The other passage that added to my basis for love, is the scripture known as the Love Chapter - I Corinthians 13. In this passage, God tells us how important love is, but he also tells us WHAT love is. These are not easy to live by, but God says this is the way we are to love. He says love is: patient, kind, does not envy, does not boast, not proud, not rude, not self-seeking, not easily angered, keeps no record of wrongs (one translation says "hardly even notices when others do it wrong"), does not delight in evil, but rejoices with the truth. Always protects, always trusts, always hope, always perseveres. Love never fails. Boy! is that a hard set of standards, and remember this isn't just for those we like - it is everyone!!!! Some of those things are particularly hard for me - kind. Now this sounds easy, but did you know you have to be kind to your children? Even when they are not kind to you? More on this later...
About Us
- Joey and KC Grist
- KC and Joey Grist share their message of hope for hurting families through the use of sound Biblical principles that restored their marriage after addiction, financial ruin and divorce tore it apart. Together, this couple speaks to individuals and couples alike, sharing their story of faith and recovery. Their ministry is teaching others a better way to live a life of hope and of happiness through a day-to-day relationship with Jesus Christ. The Grists live in Tupelo, Mississippi where they are raising two sons, JT (5) and Jimmie (3). They are active members of Lee Acres Church.
About Hope Recovery Center
Hope Recovery Center is a vision for a continuum of care for hurting families dealing with the bondages of addiction. This vision includes working specifically with adult men who desire to find a better way to live their lives, and a way to heal the hurts that have damaged their family.This includes a multi-phase plan:Phase I - Speaking and counseling ministry. Joey and KC are available to speak at churches, conferences, retreats and other groups. Funds raised through this ministry will be used to begin the subsequent phases of the ministry.Phase II - Non-residential treatment program for addicts and their families. This phase would include, but not be limited to, Christian 12-step studies; Career assessment; Job training; Resume writing and Interview skills; Biblical stress management; Time management, etc.During this phase, an attempt will be made to partner with existing organizations to provide housing, healthcare, clothing, transportation, meals and job assistance to those who need it.Phase III - Male Residential Treatment Center. Phase III includes all of the above, but instead of out-sourcing, we will provide a long-term residential treatment program. The program will be supported by some type of business or businesses, which will be operated by program participants.Phase IV - The full Continuum of Care.Stabilization - for those who enter the program intoxicated and/or under the influence of drugsSTEP (Structured Transitional Evaluation Period) 2-4 weeksSTAR (Spiritual Training and Recovery) 6-12 monthsTransitional Housing for those re-entering society
