Finding the drive for true life change can be difficult, especially when we become entrenched in patterns of behavior that are difficult to imagine breaking out of. It's often the people in our lives that rely on us, and our motivation to be the best possible versions of ourselves for those people, that lead us out of the darkness and into the light.
At Hope Center Ministries, we celebrate those that made that difficult journey of self-transformation through Christ out of addiction and into bold new lives of recovery, and this week we do so by recognizing the testimony of Rickman, TN resident Hayden Cassidy!
A year ago Hayden was facing anywhere from 6 to 12 years in prison and the possibility of not being a part of the life of his newborn son, Kingston. His addiction had finally brought him to the point of legal consequence, and laid on the line so much that he could no longer bear to lose. He faced a choice: continue down the path of addiction that had led him into darkness and nearly cost him his life, or begin the difficult process of self-reflection and recovery that may, just may, allow him to reclaim it.
We're proud to say that Hayden chose the latter, and for the sake of his family and self, found his way to our Rickman, TN Hope Center.
His recovery journey wasn't easy, and in the beginning, Hayden states that the only thing he had to lean on was the Lord; but as Philip states in John 14:8, "Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us," and Hayden soon discovered the same.
His journey through Hope Center led him not just into recovery from addiction, but into a life free from the burden of legal trouble hanging over his head, as when he went before the judge following his time in our program, the judge dismissed all of Hayden's previous charges. He was also returned custody of his now 13-month old son, his primary reason for seeking recovery in the first place.
Hayden may have come to Hope Center seeking sobriety, but he was given so much more through his willingness to embrace a relationship with Christ and seize upon the potential for transformation that lies within that relationship. He states that he never thought something like that was possible, but through faith that God wouldn't lead him astray, he was able to commit to the journey, however difficult it may have been along the way.
In his own words, Hayden says "Hope Center was the conduit that brought me closer to God," and that God is the one who made this change possible for him. And in saying this, he hits home on an important point: it's not Hope Center that causes this incredible transformation that we see in our residents, it's God moving through our ministry that allows this change to happen.
We celebrate Hayden's powerful testimony of recovery on this Transformation Tuesday, and couldn't be more excited to see how Hayden spends his freedom in this new life with Christ!
If you want to be a part of helping inspire an incredible story like Hayden's, we encourage you to consider including Hope Center Ministries as part of your charitable donations this holiday season. It's only through your help that we can reach as many lost souls as possible and work to bring them into the light of God's glory. Check out our Giving page today to see what God can do with your generosity!