The names in this blog post have been changed to ensure the privacy of those we serve.

Seeking Daddy’s Approval

Our God is a God who truly cares. He wants to take care of us and bless us, if we are willing to let Him. Allan Harris is a recent graduate of the New Life Program who knows all about God’s grace. He has felt what it means to have God restore the things that he has lost. Mr. Harris grew up idolizing his father. All he ever wanted to do was make him proud. He sought that approval in everything he did, from school to sports. Although Allan tried his hardest to get his dad’s approval, he never really felt like he succeeded. So, after graduation from high school Allan decided to follow in his father’s footsteps and become a firefighter. He thought that if he did well in the FCFD that he would make his dad proud.

Living the Dream

Allan worked his rear-end off as a firefighter and moved up the ladder of success (no pun intended). During that 20 year career, he felt like he was living the dream. He was married with 3 children who all looked up to him and idolized him. Allan had the “perfect” job, a great family, and he and his dad had a wonderful relationship. They did everything together. They even worked a side job running a food cart at county fairs. By the time Allan was 30 he felt like he had it all.Allan wanted to continue his success in the FCFD, so he began taking courses to become a paramedic. After class he would hang out with his fellow firefighters and go to the local brew pub. He began to drink heavily, but was still able to handle his job and school.

Then one day helping his father at a county fair, Allan had a fryer oil accident that caused 3rd degree burns on his feet. From there his drinking got worse, and he was now taking serious pain killers. With his new found education, Allan was able to mix medications to get a reaction of narcotics. Over the next 7 years it grew to a point where he could no longer hold a position at the fire department.

Lost

After losing his job, Allan’s addiction to alcohol and prescription drugs got worse. He spent most of his time drinking and getting high, eventually losing the respect of his kids and his wife. Allan no longer had the dream life. He lost it all. He went from moving up the proverbial ladder to spiraling down the addiction slide. Then one day he happened to run into an old coworker. His friend said, “God still loves you” and then reminded him about the New Life Program at Springs Rescue Mission.Allan checked into the New Life Program and began the process of recovery. During his time working at county fairs, Allan realized he had a love for cooking. Over the next year, he put all of himself into the culinary arts program at SRM. He learned from some of the best chefs in Colorado Springs. He felt like he was heading back up the ladder toward a new career.

Though you stumble you shall not fall…

Allan was ready to graduate and head off to a new career. He had it all planned out - but he didn’t let God in. He was using the entire year to learn culinary skills, but didn’t use the time to grow in his walk with God. One week prior to graduation, Allan stumbled; he got drunk. He thought he could hide it, but it came out, and he was asked to leave the program. Because the New Life Program is a grace-based program, he was allowed to come back. But Allan had to start back from the beginning. This time Allan knew he needed to work on his relationship with God if he was going to make it.Over the next 10 months, Allan changed. He became the actual leader he wanted to be. He learned that in order to lead you must be able to serve. He grew into a true spiritual leader.The LORD says, "I will give you back what you lost (NLT)…Allan was now following God’s plan. Mr. Harris successfully completed the New Life Program, and not only graduated, but was offered a great job. During this past 12 months of growth God has truly blessed him; Allan has been interviewed on TV, the radio and in the newspaper. He most recently won first place in a cooking contest for the county fair where once again he was able to work alongside his dad. For the first time Allan heard his father say, I’m proud of you for completing the program. Not only was his father proud but his kids and his wife were also. He had now regained his family’s respect. God had given Allan back everything he had lost and even more.God restores and gives you back more than you could ever imagine, if you just seek to follow Him.