A Family School Spirit Post

By Ali G.

Pastor Pam Allen’s chapel service began this week with all of the students on their feet singing and clapping in time to the music. In my opinion, there’s a place in worship for rejoicing and a place for penance, but I definitely prefer to do more of the first, and that’s why Wednesday’s morning service is my favorite of the week.

We discussed the Jesus’ parable in the gospel of Matthew, in which two brothers are asked by their father to go out with the sun and work in the vineyard. The first brother responded, “I don’t want to,” but later changed his mind and went out and obeyed his father’s will. The second brother said “Of course!” but later, decided against it and stayed in.
I used to think that the point of recovery for was screwed up people to become normal and quietly blend back into society. I now realize that having defied God earlier in life, having gone so far down the road of emotional pain and debauchery, it only makes my faith so much stronger. Having been so contrary to God’s plan for me, it makes it all the more real now, when I give over my will. The point of recovery is to turn damaged goods into ever-stronger renewed and amazing people, as evidenced by the strong, inspiring people I’ve met in my months at the Family Foundation School. We, in recovery, are the first brother, initially defying our Father’s will, and later seeing the truth.

To me, this means integrity: to make your own mistake, take responsibility and then follow the right path. Integrity is, as a quote from later in the quote said, “Integrity, if you don’t have it, is the only thing that matters, but integrity if you do have it, is the only thing that matters.”

We closed by singing along with a cover of Michael Jackson’s “Man in the Mirror,” reinvigorated and excited to face the day.