Prayer…it’s truly all we can do for the loved ones who are destroying their lives through alcoholism or addiction. We pray that God intervene and help them to see the truth of their situation. We pray for the strength to be patient and compassionate as our heart breaks to watch them hurt themselves.
In part 1 of this series, I share how I watched a family relative puke in the gutter in front of my house. Recently, I heard about another family relative who was arrested for drunk driving. He’s older than me and instead of his life getting better like wine, it’s souring like vinegar.
In my family circle, I make a sarcastic joke that, “I don’t want to be like O.J.” In the 1970s O.J. Simpson was one of the most famous people in the world. He was a star running back in the NFL. And even after he retired from pro football his life was going on as an actor and broadcaster. Fast forward many years later to the mid-1990s, O.J. made notoriety on charges of murdering his wife. Although he was acquitted, his life was in a shambles.
“In 2008, Simpson was sentenced to up to 33 years in prison in for kidnapping and armed robbery of two sports memorabilia dealers in a Las Vegas hotel room in 2007.”
O.J. was released after serving nine years in prison. But it didn’t take him long to find trouble. As of this posting, O.J. is 72 years old. Just two years ago:
“In November 2017, he was kicked out of the Cosmopolitan Hotel in Las Vegas after reportedly getting drunk and breaking glasses at the hotel bar.”
Ibid.
Going back to that relative who was recently arrested and charged with a DUI, I heard he blamed his ex-wife for his failure. I also heard he told someone that he was “smart” about getting arrested because he had them do a blood test instead of taking a breathalyzer. He was still over the limit with alcohol in his blood.
My heart breaks when I listen to stories of people I love hurting themselves in their alcoholism or addiction. They can’t see the truth of their mess. They don’t realize they’re hurting the people who love them. That’s why I’ve been writing that wine is a mocker, because it fools us into thinking we’re something we’re not.
I will continue to pray for both my family members. And I will love them right where they are, hoping they will turn from their pain and start seeking the healing of Jesus’ love. It’s the most I can do. Probably all I can do.
You can read more on the series at the links below:
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