LUKE 15:11-24 Parable of the Lost Son
20 “So he returned home to his father. And while he was still a long way off, his father saw him coming. Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him. 24 for this son of mine was dead and has now returned to life. He was lost, but now he is found.’
Addiction does not discriminate. It sees a person’s vulnerability, targets it with lies, and rubs salt to its wound making a person believe that he can’t get out. It doesn’t matter what age, gender, or from what race a person comes from because it sees a potential host in everyone. But one thing common about addiction is that a person will do anything to satisfy one’s need, longing to fill a hole deep in their hearts. Sadly, addiction is sometimes traced down to one’s roots, from deep memories one had from childhood that left a mark, and in an instant changed the path a person paves.
Allow me to tell you the story of *Baan, a sheep once lost through the wilderness, but now has a shepherd guiding him through excellence. According to Pastor Steve Murell of the Every Nation Congregation, “Life is not a solo sport. We need one another.” Man is not created to be alone, but rather to share the company, relationship, and encouragement from other people. But Baan’s life was the opposite of this for he had a rough childhood, often experiencing isolation. Growing up was no different because he often got into many fights with people in his community resulting to being rejected by his friends and forced to travel through life alone. He graduated from Junior High, and immediately worked in a factory to support his family. There, he earned three dollars per day, but was treated badly by his boss. Words of discouragement were spoken to him, and it even got to the point of physical violence when they are not satisfied with his work.
At the age of 21, Baan was drafted in the military to serve his country. After some years, he let go of the military life, with it the teachings and impartations, and was consumed by addiction. Through the money he earned, he purchased drugs in hopes of forgetting the pain he was in, but later realize that his life was doomed for destruction. It even got to a point where he asked his parents for money to satisfy his need. Unfortunately, he was discovered and arrested by the authorities, and was forced to go to a rehabilitation facility. He eventually got out feeling better for himself, but soon discovered another problem. He lost the trust of his father and was told he cannot stay in their house due to their fear that he would just fall into the pit of addiction again. To regain their trust, his mother suggested that he should go to a temple and be a monk in fear of not being reincarnated because of his history with drugs. He went and do so for three months. But after his time there, he found himself in a place of uncertainty as he had no place to work and no means to make money for his daily living.
In darkness he lost everyone, but in the darkest hours of his days he found someone who led him to understand his innate purpose. A friend told him about Free Rain and Shear Love, where his friend had the opportunity to work as a hair dresser and made a living. She told him that there is a great opportunity for him to learn to be a barber. This friendship has brought him happiness, and the opportunity to learn about being a barber, but more so taught him of his true identity found in his father in heaven.The longing embedded deep in his heart was filled with a new found calling and purpose. With his new found identity and purpose, he came home expecting the worst and what kind of welcome he will receive from his parents. But like the story of the prodigal son, his father welcomed him with open arms, wiping away the worry in his face into the brightest smile.
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With your help, people like Baan are funded to attend trainings to be a barber. With your support, they now discover that they have a purpose, much greater than themselves. Thank you for partnering with Free Rain, and helping us transform people like Baan’s history, into a “His Story”, a great testament of a transformed life. Baan means ‘home’ in Thai and that is exactly where he is now.
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If you were touched by Baan’s story, we would love to team up with you in championing justice. Thank you for partnering with us towards our goal of eradicating injustice, poverty, and exploitation. Support one of our students monthly at bit.ly/shearlovestudent.
*Name changed to protect the privacy of those in our care