Three men all gave their elderly mother special gifts for Christmas – a new Mercedes, a new house, and a talking parrot. A week later, they returned for a visit, and asked how she enjoyed their gifts.
To the first she said, “Thank you so much for my car. I love it!”
To the second she said, “I love my new house! It’s what I’ve always dreamed of!”
The third son asked, “What about my gift, Mom? How did you like my gift?”
His mother replied, “Actually, the chicken wasn’t very good. It gave me indigestion.”
Sometimes, we do more harm than good, despite our best intentions.
Recovery Step: “Do not forget to do good and to share with others” (Hebrews 13:16). But make sure that your efforts to help others – especially with recovery – are wise and really helpful.
Author: Mark Denison
Mark and Beth Denison, married for 36 years, launched There’s Still Hope as a national movement to call men and women into lives of sexual integrity. Their ministry offers 90-day recovery plans for addicts and one-on-one and group coaching for addicts and their spouses. TSH also produces resources for pastors and churches to confront the porn epidemic that is destroying so many lives.
Dr. Denison was a senior pastor for over 30 years, NBA chaplain, and board chairman at Houston Baptist University three times. With a Master’s Degree in Addiction Recovery, Mark is a certified PSAP and active member of the American Association of Christian Counselors.
Mark has written four books on recovery: Porn in the Pew, 365 Days to Sexual Integrity, A 90-Day Recovery Guide, and 40 Days to Porn-Free Living. His latest book, Jesus on the 12 Steps, will be released later this year.
