My brother Eric....

[BonnieA]

Hi everyone. For several years I have been praying for the salvation of all my family members. It isn't always easy being the only born again Christian in the family.

Here is a praise item regarding my younger brother Eric. Many years ago he was into drugs, but managed to clean himself up. He soon found another crutch, one which has had a hold on him for neary 30 years. He is a functioning alcoholic. By that I mean that he was drinking daily; usually to excess. Many friends and family members tried to convince him to stop the path he was taking, fully aware that he would have to realize, on his own, that he needed to stop.

About 4 months ago, a friend from his high school days reconnected with him, and talked him into moving back here to Ontario and live with him. This man is a member of AA, and has been sober for a long time.

Eric and I had a long phone conversation Friday night, in which he expressed his gratitude to his friend Pat for helping him, and told me why he decided to stop. Turns out that he has had several drinking buddies, some younger than his 54 years, die of cirrhosis (sp) of the liver.  He also thanked me for my continued prayers and love.

My sincere hope, and prayer, is that he will come to understand his need for the Lord's presence in his life. I am soooo thankful for Pat, and trust that the Lord had a hand in bringing these two men back into contact.

[BonnieA]

Oops. Re the point about Eric being a functioning alcoholic, I meant that he was drinking heavily on nearly a daily basis, but still able to work..

[gjtoth]

As a former alcoholic/drug abuser, I can say that AA saved my physical life and pointed me to Christ.  Christ took those desires from me and kept them "...as far as the East is from the West..." for a little over twenty years now.  He can and will do the same for your brother, but it has to be your brother's choice.  I'll shoot up a couple of prayers for him (and you!).  What you can do for him is learn about AA and what you can do when he "comes home".  Don't push.  God works in HIS time although we sure do wish He would work in ours. 

[Jane Walker]

A good testimony about Eric, and good words from Gary as well.  I have a family member who finds great "help" from AA ... going to meetings is what keeps her on an even keel. 

[JudyB]

Praying Bonnie and thank you Gary for the encouraging words for Bonnie.

[Jeanne Lee]

Bonnie, thank you for the testimony.  My prayers are joining with those of others for your brother's successful recovery and for help for you in relating with him. 

[BonnieA]

Thank you all for your prayers and input. I will continue to pray for Eric too.

Having had a "mother-in-law" who was an alcoholic, this is not an unfamiliar situation for me...though I am now approaching it from a different perspective with the faith I know have in our Lord Jesus Christ.

Hugs to you all.

[CapturedByGrace]

So happy to hear, Bonnie.  My prayers go out for continued recovery. 

[BonnieA]

Thank you.