THE HEZEKIAH MOVEMENT

FROM CHAOS AND CONFUSION TO ORDER AND OPPORTUNITY

 

 

 

 

 

FROM CHAOS AND CONFUSION TO ORDER AND OPPURTINUTY

What life was like in the days of active addiction! It truly can be summed up as a time of chaos and confusiosn. Every aspect of life was affected-physical, emotional, spiritual, intellectual, family, and social. Nothing in life went untouched by the chaos and confusion. As a result how difficult life was like for all concernecd. No one was spared, for addiction is like a monster destroying all in its path. Yes, there is so much suffering in the addict's life. But it does not stop there. No - family, friends, neighbors, employers, coworkers- all, and many others also suffer so much.

Each one has his or her own story of choas and confusion. The details are different; the basics are always the same. Life in addiction spun further and further out of control. All those in its path were hurt-even destroyed-by the debris that flew everywhere. And-it is important to rememeber-it was not the chaos and confusion all around that caused so much suffering and pain. Rather it was cluttered minds, cluttered spirits that was the source of all that turned life into a messy mountain of misery. These were the cluttered minds and spirits of life in addiction. It was muddled thinking leading to irrational actions that led to painful-ofter tragic-consequences. All of this was so because I wanted what I wanted when I wanted it. Thus did each of us-in our own way-get the results, a life of chasos and confusion.

But that was then and this is now. From what was to what is-what a difference there is! For today we gather not in the chaos and confusion of old-with its prisons and institutions, its violence and heartache-rather we gather with a life of order and opportunty. We gather with some peace and hope, with confidence and determinaton. All this is so because today life is  different. And life is different because you are different. The choices you are making today; the actions you are taking today are ones that lead not to chaos and confusion but to order and opportunity. Why is this so? It is because of one fundamental decsion you made-the deccision to change your life. It is as simple and as profound as that. Our old life was one of self will run riot. Today life is one of turning life and will over to the care of your God. As the old gives way to the new, we come alive as never before. Order in life means turmoil declines and freedom grows stronger. Order in life means less confronation and more cooperation. And above all-order brings opportunity. The wasted energy of the days chaos and confusion now becomes available energy to live as you were created to live-in the very image and likeness of God.

What does this really mean for you? It means opportunity to live a fulfilling life. Today you have the opprotunity to discover yourself and find it is okay to be you. Today you have the opportunty to change your life -and as you do-learn that it is good-even very good-to be you. Today you have the opportunity not to look at life as it is and ask why, but to look at life as it can be and ask why not.

Not with chaos and cofussion gone, with order and opportunity here, you can and should be a person who dreams. Never again need your dream be the imposible dream. Today all your dreams are possible ones. Indeed let your dreams soar to the heights of the sky and beyond. Let no one  tell you that it can't be done. Do not tell yourself that. A new day of order and opportunity is yours. Live that day to the full in faith, in hope, in love. With new confidence and  determination, renewed in peace and hope, not alone-not now or ever again-but with your sisters and brothers, with your God, live each new day to the full. Let it be

Fr. Joe McDonough, S.T.

It is with much joy and gratitude that the Hezekiah Movement celebrates the return of summer! The past months have been a time of many blessing for us. Most important, was the opening of our first Island of Hope. It is through your great generosity and support that this has happened and now more and more people are getting help in their efforts to be free from addiction. We are most thankful to you for all the help you have given. Your help in the past has been so important for us to get this far.

Besides the blessing of our new Island of Hope, we have experienced a growth in the Hezekiah Movement retreats. These retreats are providing wonderful spiritual experiences for so many in recovery who have never had such oportunities before. In addiction, more men and women are joining in with us throughout the week for prayer and meditation and they are finding suupport and encouragement as they go forward in their new life of recovery from addiction. Again all this is possible because of your care and generosity.

Your help means so much to so many. I pray that you will be filled with Easter joy. May this Summer be a time of freedom, peace, hope and new life.

In Gratitude and Peace.

Fr. Joe