Recovery

Avery stood there, smiling with great joy, a stark contrast to the first time she walked through our doors six months ago. Avery came to Ashure Ministry in one of the darkest seasons of her life. She was fresh out of jail, one month sober, and grieving the separation from her child due to her addiction. She was broken and lost. Her son, Micah, was now in foster care, and she hadn’t been able to see him. The disease of addiction had taken so much from her, and she felt unworthy of hope.

Avery shared with her case manager, Keely, that she was referred to a local recovery group through our Crisis Assistance Coaching Program. She said to Keely, “There was a time when I wanted to quit the program, but in that moment, I knew that God wanted me to stay. He wanted more for me.” It was in the group that she began to see that God had not abandoned her, and that He would never abandon her.

Now, an additional month into her recovery, Avery came back just to renew her food card, but more importantly, to share what God had done in her life. She now has a home. She is rebuilding her life and working toward reunification with her son. What the enemy meant for evil—God is using for good.

Avery shared, “Now I have purpose. I am working to become a peer support specialist, using my journey to help others in the grip of addiction walk through their own struggles.” We hope she will come back and let us know when she reaches that goal, because we believe God is going to use her story for His glory.

Before Avery left, she read aloud some words from our wall, “Speak truth in love” (Ephesians 4:10). She then said, “That is how I am trying to live.” Avery left today with food, but more than that, she left with pride having shared the changes she is making. This is why we do what we do. Because we want all those in crisis to know that hope is within reach—because Jesus is always within reach, and He will provide.