Colors seen through stained glass.

I attended an open meeting with my husband last night. An AA open meeting is for family as well as the person in recovery. It was held at a church here in town. They gather for dinner then someone speaks. A speaker. A real, alive person who can share their story of dispair, pain, loss, and finding a higher power that helps them overcome their demon one day at a time. My husband sort of acted shocked that I wanted to go. Why would I want to go? I want to see hope in the form of a living, breathing creature. Someone who can testify about their walk and now be standing, claiming sobriety for others to hear and gain strenght from. As I sat there listening, I was remarked by one thing. These people have a devasting disease that has destroyed people, destroyed homes, destroyed finances, and left nothing but smoking ashes for many. There is no shame, hidden agenda, confusion as to why one is there, everyone is united by their addiction. I so much enjoyed hearing the speaker's story. Why? It is HIS story. Not someone elses. HIS life journey. HIS claim of living without the bottle. HIS new found joy living sober. As I looked at the stained glass windows behind the man, I realized how mistakes and sin change the way we look at life, just like the different colors caused by the sun coming through each glass pane. Jesus walked among the people until he was too tired to talk or minister. Jesus has a heart for hurt, he has a heart for diseases, addicitons, shame and diasters. He touched people to heal them. He offered water,food, and rest. In a couple of hours we will go to church. I wish someone would be waiting to tell their story, to testify, so we could relate and identify with another's journey. I want to know peoples story. I want to lose the image many people have about attending church. I want to be changed because I can see the colors differently today through someone's stained glass pane.