Seeing glimpses of the Kingdom of God

I have had the privilege of walking with people who are in the throes of addiction or recovering from addiction to drugs and alcohol and other burdens that life can bring. Many of these precious people have become a part of my life and daily prayers. They have invited me into their lives and taught me a great deal about the world from where they stand and what they see from their own experiences.

Many of them are involved at LifeHouse and come here on a regular basis or as needed. They even invite me to come to their life events on occasion. The latest invitation I have had is to attend drug court here at the Lincoln Parish Courthouse with some of my friends.

I found this definition of drug court online to give you an idea of how it works:

“Drug court is a specialized program that helps criminal defendants and offenders, juvenile offenders and others who have alcohol and drug dependency problems.

Drug courts are judicially supervised court dockets that provide a sentencing alternative of treatment combined with supervision for people living with serious substance use and mental health disorders. Drug courts are problem-solving courts that take a public health approach using a specialized model in which the judiciary, prosecution, defense bar, probation, law enforcement, mental health, social service, and treatment communities work together to help addicted offenders into long-term recovery.”

In other words, several agencies work together with the court of law to help individuals find supervision, accountability, health, and healing in a way that is full of grace and mercy. I have only been to drug court here in Ruston a few times. The most recent time I went, I was blown away by what I witnessed.

First of all, my dear friend graduated from drug court after 4 years of working the program. The presiding judge saw several people that day before my friend got up to speak.

After every person talked about where they were in the program, if they had a job yet, and how they were doing otherwise, the judge would say, “Is there anything we can do for you?” Every person was spoken to with kindness and respect by the judge even when he had to let some individuals know they had to serve longer for various reasons.

The attorneys and law enforcement present were also very kind and respectful. And the mental health professionals were very empathetic in a professional manner. The village of people around these who were coming through drug court was quite amazing.

The last person to speak that day was my dear friend. It was amazing to see her standing there as a transformed woman of grace and confidence. She has always been a natural beauty, yet now her beauty comes from her healthy core where there is integrity and a new understanding of who she is in Christ. She stood there glowing before the judge, the attorneys, her family and friends, and all of us in the courtroom, as she thanked all who helped her on this journey toward restoration and freedom. She was and is full of joy and new life! The whole courtroom scene was beautiful to behold! Jesus said, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” (Matthew 3:2 NRSV). And I saw this in real time with my own eyes.

I sat there with tears streaming uncontrollably down my face at the courageous tenacity of my friend. I was also deeply touched by the love and gentle ways of the judge who showed mercy in a just way for each person.

This was a Kingdom Event! A celebration! And I share this as an important reminder for all of us to treat every person with dignity and respect.

We cannot know every one’s story. But what we do know is that every person in our world is a child of God. Every person is worthy of all the love, peace, forgiveness, joy and new beginnings that God has to offer.

Every person has the opportunity to come home and to begin again.

Cathy Brewton is the executive director of Life-House Ministries.