Stories of Hope
The Value of Trust
We would like to share a story with you. It is a story of trust and transformation. This is Brad’s story. A 28-year-old native of New Orleans, Brad fell into a lifestyle of addiction while working in the service industry. He describes this time in his life, “drug and alcohol abuse [was] rampant. I was unhappy and not living up to my potential and knew I needed outside help.”
Brad’s desire to change his life brought him to the Haven House for recovery two months ago and he is currently working on one our trucks picking up donations for our thrift shops as his work therapy part of the program. Recently, while sorting through a box of donated books, he opened a book on tape and was surprised to find that it was stuffed full of cash. Precisely, $900 in one-hundred dollar bills.
Before who knows what I would have done, Brad says, “My addiction lifestyle always took advantage wherever possible. But now, my heart is in the right place – I wanted to do the right thing.” And that’s exactly what he did.
Brad put the Biblical principles he has learned at Haven House into practice. He immediately turned in the money to the thrift shop manager and went through the box of books for clues to find the money’s rightful owner. He found a business card in the box, contacted the donor, and was able to restore the cash to its rightful owner. Brad broke away from the patterns of his old life dominated by the insatiable drive of addiction by choosing to do the right thing simply because it was the right thing to do.
He now knows that, Trust is more valuable than $900.
Haven House is showing Brad that faith in Jesus can change his mind and heart and help him build a new life. Brad is seeing the changes in himself and walking closer to God than ever before. He explains that he has never been religious, but is now understanding the power of faith for the first time.
“Being here and having a clear mind – I’m getting excited for my future again. I’m beginning to understand that I can’t control everything. So when I get overwhelmed, I hand it over to my higher power. I ask for help and hope He will guide me.”
You can be a part of changing Brad’s life and the lives of others like him who are seeking to break free from addiction by the power of Christ at Haven House Mission!