Sheila Raye Charles: Testimony & Concert March 19

Our Celebrate Recovery fellowship is sponsoring a special event on Friday, March 19, 2010. We are privileged to have Sheila Raye Charles - daughter of Ray Charles - come and tell her testimony interspersed with her music and that of Ray Charles.

You may get a sample of her testimony at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zDbh-H8tp6g.

Tell your friends and neighbors. Share the info with other fellowships. Hope to see you there!

Dinner at 6PM.
Sheila Raye Charles at 7PM.

What It's Like Today

Today my mind feels frayed at the edges. My attention span is about seven seconds and my fuse is even shorter. All day I've been on the verge of tears or temper tantrums. It's a good thing I've spent most of the day alone at home.

My imagination flits from one obsessive thought to another: clean the house, lose weight, do the laundry NOW. I feel misunderstood by those that are closest to me: my husband, my daughter, my best friend. I spend a lot of time apologizing for being weird or weepy -- for being unable to seem normal.

My body undermines my best intentions. Exercise hurts. Sitting with my legs crossed hurts. Keeping my head turned to the right for ten minutes while I watch Perry Mason reruns hurts. Thinking about my pain hurts.

I am depressed, but I'm not desolate. I am anxious, but I'm not afraid. I'm grateful that I have a home that sheilds me from the mercurial weather and a family that can withstand my mercurial moods. I'm grateful that my family extends beyond my household and relatives to my church, to my CR group, to my circle of friends in the fellowship. I'm grateful that I know people that are like me and like me. I have friends that call to pray for me and with me. They call to check in and let me know that I'm not alone. I'm grateful that as bad as things get they are never as bad as before God rerouted me to the road to recovery.

Even when I can't move, I can talk to God. Even when I can't form a cogent thought, I can eke out a "thank you, Jesus" just because He's brought me this far and hasn't left me. Sometimes I crack a smile at my pain and anguish because it's not all I have. I have a program that works. I have my sobriety. I have a lot to be grateful for. I have people that love and accept me and I have my precious Savior who isn't done with me yet.