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As he sat in the airport waiting for the plane to arrive, Dennis recalled his life. As bad as it was, he wouldn't change a thing. The experience led to the most important decision of his life and the happiest moment he never thought was possible.
Dennis was raised by parents who were bikers. His father was strict and often abusive. The parents' lifestyle brought drugs into the house, so Dennis was introduced to marijuana before he even entered kindergarten. Later in high school, methamphetamine became his drug of choice.
From an early age all he knew was a life of addiction and it became the cornerstone of everything he ever did.
During his marriage Dennis and his wife had three beautiful daughters, but Dennis's powerful addiction ruined the relationship. He couldn't hold a job, show love to those who mattered the most, or get control of his life.
Soon his wife left with their children. Then Dennis's whole world came completely crashing down. He lost his latest job, his house burned to the ground, and Dennis found himself homeless with no one to turn to and nowhere to go.
With his life below rock bottom, dirty and hungry, Dennis found himself at Springs Rescue Mission. He entered the Men's New Life Program because all other options in his life had failed.
Then Dennis's life finally took a positive turn as he learned about God and how faith in Jesus could change his life, but this new found excitement soon was overshadowed by feelings of hurt and pain as Dennis yearned to see his daughters again.
Dennis became depressed. He almost gave up on allowing God to help him because Dennis thought the possibility of ever seeing his family was lost forever. Near the edge, Dennis started praying instead.
Everyday became a continual conversation with God about the pain he felt inside and the confusion and hopelessness that swirled inside of him. Most of all, Dennis kept asking God to somehow repair the damage that kept him from ever seeing his daughters again.
Nothing seemed to change until one day Dennis just threw his hands up because he had enough. That very day he received a call from his ex-wife. Cyndi, his youngest daughter of nine, had a birthday coming up and all she wanted was to see her dad again. It was her birthday wish.
As the door to the plane terminal swung open, Dennis refocused his thoughts to the present. A flood of emotion rushed through his mind when he realized the plane was offloading passengers and he was about to see his daughter.
The next few days he spent with Cyndi was more than he could ever ask for. During that time Dennis regained the love of his daughter, realized without a doubt that there is a God, and knew he had been healed from a lifestyle of addiction. He also has a promising future with a new full time job and a hope that God will repair other relationships in his life.
As of the time of writing, Dennis is a full-time employee of Phoenix Rescue Mission. He lives in Phoenix near his three daughters.
See also New Life Program.