“Through Their Tears”
Rev. Ross Leckie, Grace United Church, Brampton, Ontario
Sermon on April 4, 2010
It was early in the morning last week when I had breakfast with the creator of “A Home Away,” a drug and alcohol treatment centre in Kelowna, British Columbia. John was in town to spend time with his daughter last weekend. We got talking about the encounters we have with people. He told me about Debbie, who came seeking help with her addiction to alcohol and tobacco use. It was Wednesday and the guests were talking about what they would do on their recreation day, Friday. A recreation day may be obvious to you-an opportunity to just get away from the usual and have fun. But there is more to it than that. A recreation day is an opportunity for a person to get active, exercise and maybe even stretch their past experiences, perhaps even take a measured risk.
The general consensus around the table that morning was, “let’s go skiing.” Debbie said, “I’d enjoy going along but I can’t ski. I’ve got a sore back. But, I’ll watch the rest of you.” “Well, why can’t you ski,” said John. “You can at least try. We can get you the equipment and there are lessons available and a practice hill.” “You’ll be surprised how well you can do.” Debbie fell silent. She said nothing more as the breakfast conversation continued, the meal was finished and the guests cleared the table. Debbie rushed away to her room.
After breakfast and a short break the group participates in a joint counseling session each morning. John began by asking Debbie why she had not participated in the conversation around the table that morning and rushed off so abruptly after breakfast. “You don’t understand,” she pleaded, “I really cannot ski.” “Why can’t you just give it a try,” said John. “I have scoliosis., I have to be careful with my back!” “Who has told you that you can’t do these things,” John persisted. “Well, my mother for one, but there have been others who said this too!” I was told I couldn’t be a teacher because I’d be on my feet all day and my back was not strong enough for that. So I took a secretarial job but I don’t like it.
Another person in the group said, “I’ve never skied before either. But I’ve never been this close to a mountain. I’ll go with you to a lesson. We’ll give it a try together.” Debbie was still resisting the whole idea.
“Debbie, you are going to go along with the group and give this a try, I think you will be able to do this and have a lot of fun too,” John continued the challenge. At this point Debbie broke down weeping and sobbing at length. “What is really the matter,” asked John. “You are the first person who has ever said I could do something.” “For all my life people have said what I could not do.”
Debbie joined the group in their excursion. She took a lesson. She mastered the practice hill in the next two hours and she was on the slopes acquiring at least a moderate skill by the middle of the afternoon. The day was a rebirth for Debbie and a joy for the rest of her home group to experience with her!
Just days ago she celebrated one year sober. The meeting room was ‘bursting’ with people loving and supporting her! Her mother, whom she had been previously estranged from was there, with her sister, both from out of town. Debbie’s mom now offers loving support and encouragement. Debbie will soon complete her first year of college studying in a field she is really excited about. She has experienced resurrection!
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