A Secret Freedom
Over time, I witnessed others getting free, and I saw confession and honesty were key ingredients of the process. I fell in love with the genuine authenticity of the people at CR, and they began to feel like family.
I joined Celebrate Recovery’s 12-step program and completed the weekly studies. My burden lightened as other women walked through the tough issues with me. Those women became sisters.
But one thing remained—my pride.
Throughout the entire process, I didn’t want anyone from my home church to know I was involved in CR. I didn’t want them to assume I was an addict or something, so I secretly went to these meetings every Friday night.
When I graduated the 12-step program, I received a CR shirt. I threw it away and told my husband, “I’ll never wear that thing.”
The recovery process had forever changed my life, but I didn’t want to be labeled. I was comfortable being authentic at Celebrate Recovery, but I put that church mask back on as soon as I exited those doors.
About eight months ago, I found myself in a scary place. My husband and I were on the brink of divorce. We tried to handle it on our own, and we failed. Repeatedly. I could no longer handle his pornography addiction as a part of our marriage, and I asked for a separation.
The next week, my husband showed up to CR. I never saw it coming.
Curtis had been blindsided by our separation, and he was desperate to save our marriage. He had no one to talk to at our home church, and to make matters worse, the whole pornography addiction thing was somewhat embarrassing. At Celebrate Recovery, he found a safe place where, for the first time in his life, he could confess and find the freedom that happens when darkness meets light.
We were only separated for 40 days, but with young kids involved it was painful, dramatic and it felt much longer.
The restoration of our marriage has been a process, and it hasn’t always moved perfectly forward. There have been tears and moments where we wondered if we would make it or if it was even worth the fight. But the principles of truth, confession and forgiveness we learned at CR freed us.
It’s for Me (and for You)
Celebrate Recovery isn’t just for addicts.
It’s for people who’ve been hurt. It’s for people who’ve hurt others.
It’s for people who are crippled by depression, anxiety, sexual addictions, shame, eating disorders or other habits that are hard to kick.
It’s for those who feel judged by the church, and it’s for those who don’t think they have problems.
It’s for people who wear masks.
It’s for those who crave authentic fellowship and for those who feel isolated.
It is for people who realize they can’t save themselves. Every Friday night you’ll hear Ray say, “I’m messed up. We’re all messed up.”
Celebrate Recovery is where people are set free, and where God begins to craft messages of hope and restoration out of people’s messes.
It’s for people like me, and people like you.
Learn more about the nationwide organization at www.celebraterecovery.com and find a Celebrate Recovery group near you.
