In high school I started out partying, which carried into my early 20s when I began partying
more and more. I can see now I was looking to run from the emptiness and brokenness
inside of me — trying to fill a huge hole in my heart.
I worked hard in the coal mines and saved to start my own business in 2011. I was concerned about losing my business during the winter since a motorcycle shop is very seasonal. Everyone around me was already going to pain clinics, and I knew all about it.
My family had been involved in drugs and criminal behaviors for generations. Before I knew it, at age 23, I made a horrible decision – I started going to a pain clinic.
Just like the Bible says, I began to reap what I was sowing. I eventually started doing Oxycodone to have it in my urine for my check ups to keep getting a prescription. I soon acquired a new set of people that I dealt with regularly, which turned into surrounding myself with people doing the same kind of stuff I was involved in.
Fast forward to 2017. I had been getting everything from the guy who was supplying many other people with drugs. I had what I thought was would satisfy me (money, friends, trucks, toys, etc.), but was living in my car by the end of the year. Out of everything I did, abandoning my children was worst. That vicious cycle was 100% continuing.
I was stealing and breaking into poker machines to barely keep my head above water. I was in full blown addiction. I went from hating people that would steal to being proud of what I would take from someone else. I was prone to violence and being selfish, angry, and broken all at the same time.
By the time I sobered up I had been charged with five felonies (2nd Degree Robbery, Theft over $10,000, two 1st Degree TraAicking and Possession of Methamphetamine charges). I accepted the fact that I was on my way to prison this time.
After two weeks in jail, a guard came into the 14-bunk cell I was sharing with 30 other broken men. He asked if anyone wanted to go to church. I asked him if we had to leave the cell. He said “yes,” so I followed him. I had zero thoughts about God, I just wanted to be anywhere but there, even if it was only for a few minutes.
Sitting in that jail service I remember asking myself: “Why are these people here?” They were coming to the place that every other person was fighting to get out of. A light shined into my life that day, and I knew I was in darkness. I had to see the Gospel before I’d ever be able to hear it.”