As a native of Huntsville, Alabama, I served as a Teacher, Music Minister, Youth Minister, Band and Choral Directorand a Salvatorian Minister. I tried to live a quiet and noble life. I worked to be  a person of strong character who served others. I pushed forward to educate myself and to better myself so that I would be an asset to my community, church and family. I was blessed by God with any talents and a community of great support. For 30 years, I chose to follow the call of God knowing that he would reward me with my hearts desires. But upon the ripe old age of 31, I took up the bait of Satan. I looked at the things that I did not have and forgot about the things I had. I longed for the things that God had promised me, and forgot about the treasures that I was assured. I also forgot that God has his own time, and that he was working not on my timetable, but instead, waiting for my gifts to perfect.

So one day, I decided to catch up with a world that I thought was ahead of me. I decided that if God would not deliver me a wife and children, popular friends, and the title of Mr. Superman, I would just make it happen. I lost weight, changed my style, went to parties, cruised the bars, and did many things that were out of my character. I tried to get drunk, notice I said try. Then one day, I was introduced to air. That’s right, air. More specifically, huffing, (diflouroethane, trifluoroethane, or tetrafluoroethane), aka, air in a can. I thought, “it’s natural and won’t harm me. I could be rebellious safely.” I could escape my feelings and the thoughts of being alone.

My addiction grew and in just over a year, I had lost nearly all the earthly gifts God gave to me. More importantly, I damaged my character and the person God had made me. In my quest to be popular, wanted, a “Real Man,” and extraordinary person. I became “Extra Ordinary.” I wasted my money, ignored my friends, became irresponsible and more importantly, the dreams I had held on for so long, no longer mattered. In my attempt to fill my life, I became nothing more than an empty shell.

So that brings me to now. What brought me here was not drugs, the law, or even sin. I have prayed my whole life to have a Godly wife and children, to be a man of character and to be a good leader for God. That day, I remember asking God why I had to lose so much and go through so much pain, and if I would ever reach my dreams. Then God quietly spoke to me, ever so gently. He said, “You asked Me to make you a good man of character, a leader, a man worthy of a good wife and children and a man of service. This is part of the journey to your dreams, and My grace is sufficient for you to obtain all this and more.”

I am here because as Paul says, “the good work that He has begun in you will continue until the coming of the Lord (Phil 1:6). I know now that everything I have asked for He has provided, even when I do not see it or understand it. I know that with Him I can be more than extraordinary. I can be a man after Gods own heart. My future? I am a Teacher, Music Minister, Youth Minister, Band and Choral Director, and a Salvatorian Minister. I will be a husband, father, leader and a champion for God. This is my future, this is my calling, this is what my journey has been about and will continue to be while the Lord continues to complete me till the coming of Christ our Lord Jesus.

— Jonathan