Believing for a Better Life

Sixty-two-year-old Albert “Sonny” is in the best shape of his life. At first glance, you would never guess that at one time he was a drug addict on the verge of self destruction.

“Life was going well. I was working to become a physical science technician in the radiological department,” said Sonny.

Sonny was happily married with two sons. Things changed when he found his wife was using cocaine.

“That changes everything. Now it explains a lot of things. It became more frequent, longer days, longer time periods,” said Sonny.

When Sonny confronted her but she refused to quit. Still, he wanted to save the marriage.

“I would do whatever it take to keep the marriage together. I said listen, if you’re going to get high, get high at home.”

Before long, Sonny began using cocaine with his wife.

“I felt total euphoria. I felt like, I mean, it was like something I had never felt before,” said Sonny.

Sonny was hooked. He spent everyday trying to get high. He eventually quit his job, and cashed out his retirement to pay for his addiction. When the money ran out, his wife made other arrangements.  

“She made a deal… whatever it took. She started having sex for drugs. That was devastating,” said Sonny.

Then, she left him and their children, for another man.  

“Probably the worst feeling in my life. So at this point, it’s a hopeless situation. I thought about committing suicide,” said Sonny.

Sonny lost his house, and was too ashamed to move back with his parents. So he moved in with his in-laws.

“Me and the boys moved in with them and now I’m feeling like less than a man… very much less than a man. Because, my dad didn’t raise me like that. My dad’s disappointed in me. My mother’s disappointed in me. My family’s disappointed in me. I lost my wife. Pretty depressed,” said Sonny.

While he was there, sonny’s mother in-law started telling him about god and suggested he read the book of job.

“It kept me from killing myself, you know what I’m saying. So I started reading Job and I understood all God allowed the devil to take from him And how he gave everything back twofold. That's what I want. I want to be restored. I want a new family. I want my family back,” said Sonny.

But Sonny didn’t know how to shake his addiction on his own.

“I was struggling between trying to find God and get –still getting high. I created opportunities to just, I guess numb myself,” said Sonny.

Sonny’s wake up call came one night while he was trying to score some cocaine. He got caught in a gun fight between two gangs.

“People are fighting for territory that has nothing to do with you. You’re just out there in the wrong place at the wrong time. So I had to get up out of there, man, because I thought I was going to die out there that night, you know.”   

Soon after, sonny checked himself into rehab. There in his room, he began praying.

"If Jesus had to reach way down, Jesus would pick you up because where I was so low down. I just prayed to God. I prayed to Him for help. I prayed for Him for a heartfelt help, I mean, and sincere I need You,” said Sonny.

Sonny accepted Jesus into his heart. He began studying the Bible and going to church believing for a better life through Jesus Christ.

“I stayed away from things that triggered thoughts of sex, thoughts of drugs, anything. I stayed away from it. I was just seeking Him—seeking after Him with my whole heart,” said Sonny.

Sonny’s relationship with God continued to grow. After 14 weeks, he was released from rehab clean and free from cocaine.

“He cleansed my heart. He strengthened it. When I think of the word heart, I think of the word “leb”, which means heart and mind. I feel strengthened in Him and full of hope. Where I was hopeless, now I’m full of hope. He just gave me everything back.  He gave me my family back. He gave me – I mean, a new wife.  He gave me my relationship with my ex-wife back,” said Sonny.

Through God’s grace Sonny began piecing his life back together. That was over 20 years ago. Today he is happier than ever. He serves as fitness professional, and is now married to Stephanie.

“She encourages me to succeed. She encourages me to keep moving, man. She lifts my heart up.”

Sonny now knows that true happiness can only be found through a relationship with Jesus Christ.

“If He has to reach way down, He’ll pick you up. I just think He’ll meet you where you are. He is the Living Hope. He is the only hope. Jesus Christ is the only way. That’s it,” said Sonny.