Michael’s Story
People used to ask me what I’d change if I could go back in time. That was easy. I’d make sure I was never born. Life was meaningless and hopeless, I thought, and there’s nothing you can do about it. It’s just a big endurance test that only alcohol could get me through.
I grew up an only child, with an alcoholic, atheist father and a mother who detested him. There was no love in our family. So as I grew older, I believed love was a myth and Jesus, the Lamb of God, was a fairy tale. But alcohol and drugs, those I understood. I started drinking in seventh grade and never looked back.
“The Holy Spirit Opened My Eyes”
After that, getting high was my only ambition. Oh, I got married and raised kids. But I was never into the love thing. And for 30 years, there was never a day I didn’t drink.
After my wife died a few years ago, I quit working and set up camp in the woods to drink in peace. I managed OK until someone gave me a Bible tract that talked about Jesus being the Lamb of God. The final sacrifice who took away the sins of the world. Who took away my sins. It’s like the Holy Spirit opened my eyes. It wasn’t a fairy tale after all, and I had to learn more.
Loving a Risen Savior
A couple of months later, I came to the Milwaukee Rescue Mission, seeking answers. I’ve been here for a year now, and I still have lots of questions. But one thing I know: Jesus died for my sins on Good Friday and rose again on Easter morning. And I know with all my heart it’s true. I still don’t know why God saved me, but He did. And He’s teaching me to care about people — including myself.
The Milwaukee Rescue Mission has shown me that God has something more in store for me, though I don’t know what that is yet. I have to stay patient and let God continue to open my heart to love. But I’ve already fallen in love with a risen Savior. Isn’t that what Easter is all about?
