I owe your congregation a debt of thanks

If I were a betting man, I'd bet you get a million of these a year. But I owe your congregation thanks, and I'm probably going to share more than you'd like.

I've been a Christian since I was twelve. Raised in the church. I'm nearing 40 now.

Several years ago, I was a drunk. A fool. I'd fallen. A father of two. A husband, but a poor one. Arrogant (a trait I still combat with the Lord's help).

I got drunk one night and was tempted, and I cheated on my wife. I flailed about for a year, devoured by guilt, my wife was wonderful, I had no reason or excuse to do what I did. But it had been done. Another year passed. I finally confessed.

She was devastated. It was hell on earth. I wanted her to hate me. I felt like it was deserved. I was so very, very low. I went to our minister. I told him what I had done. He met with us and arranged counseling. My wife wasn't leaving (the biggest shock to me at the time). With her permission and with her at my side, I confessed to my parents so they could help her hold me accountable. It hurt my parents deeply. But they handled it with grace, which shamed me so much more.

I began seeing hope. Two years of guilt had robbed me of that hope. I started doing what a man with a sliver of hope does; I began reaching out for resources to cling to that hope.

During this time, I found you. Don't get me wrong, our minister and our elders are the warriors I credit most with helping us salvage our marriage. But you played a huge role. Your site sparked my curiosity. It fed me. Seeing so many have a lot of the same questions as me, and knowing that I was not the only one who struggled with a particular topic, but that there were men who had already been answering those questions from Scripture for years. It was such a blessing, and you'll never know how much it helped me to get back onto the path.

This year we celebrated our anniversary (over 15 years). Our faith and our marriage have been rock solid. I've had opportunities I never thought I'd have before. I've taught Bible classes; I've gotten opportunity after opportunity to serve the Lord. And you and the La Vista congregation played a role in that.

I've started to write a thank you several times over the years. I'm sorry it's come so late. You've been on my mind and in my prayers lately. I've thanked our Master for the influence you've had on our lives.

I pray your work continues to be blessed, that you meet soft-hearted folks, and that maybe someday we can come visit and I can thank you in person.

Have a wonderful rest of the week, brother.