a child is reborn

today's bright spot was easy. my parents and i drove the familiar stretch of road that inevitably is the beginning of almost all good road trips up north - but today's destination was a small communal residence for men with addictions located in the farmlands outside bakersfield. why a bright spot? because my 18 year old meth-addicted cousin graduated phase one of the program, and has given over his life to christ as a thinking adult. next he moves on to the second phase in riverside. the success rate of this program is at 85% - meaning that after 5 years, 85% of the graduates are still not using. i'm hoping that it doesn't decline much more than that after the 5 years. a total of 10 men were graduating and going on to the riverside portion, which i guess is even more intense, especially at first. i have to say, everything in me is doubtful. everything i have learned about brain chemestry in this behavioral neuroscience class i'm taking tells me the odds are not stacked in his favor. when he started using alcohol and drugs, he was only 15. and now the rest of his life will never be the same. he will always be on guard against him self, will always have that extra layer of caution shadowing his daily life. but today's gift was an outpouring of hope. gone was the overly skinny, pitted face and disappointed, guarded eyes. my cousin was a new person. his face was healthy and tan, he gained a much-needed 30 pounds, and his body was much closer to the strong athleticism of his youth. when he accepted his certificate, there were tears, long hugs with his counselors, and talk of amazing friendships forged through this process of healing. i pray that the spirit of life and peace would deepen its hold on his life and burn out the old painful paths. i pray that it is to god's glory that this life be redeemed from the spectral presence of addiction, and that my cousin and these other men get to enjoy a life under the full sunshine of grace. as a side note, i hope that my haughty, qeorgous cat, who is stretched out beside me, lives forever. please join me in praying for this. i can't afford the 30 g to clone him.