I recently reconnected with a friend from my first church, whom I had not seen in 25 years. As we enjoyed lunch together, he showed me the words of a country song he is working on. (My friend is no song-writer, but he would have been a terrific philosopher.) I share the words to his song here, because they are a picture of the life too many of us live.
At age 20, the man confessed:
“It’s been a while since I’ve been good.
I don’t often do the things I should.
I drink and smoke, I like to fight.
I chase the girls and stay out all night.
It’s been a while since I’ve been good.”
At age 45, the man admitted:
“It’s been a while since I’ve been good.
I still don’t do the things I should.
I lost my job, I lost my wife.
I’m fat and broke and stink at life.
It’s been a while since I’ve been good.”
At age 70, the same man lamented:
“It’s been a while since I’ve been good.
My body doesn’t work the way it should.
I take a host of pills
To cure my many ills.
And it’s been a while since I’ve been good.”
I talk to guys every day whose stories are this man’s story. It’s been a while since they’ve been good. It’s been a while since they’ve worked the 12 Steps, been to a recovery meeting, prayed, read Scripture, or done any serious recovery work.
Recovery Step: “Today is the day of God’s favor” (2 Corinthians 6:2). Perhaps it’s been a while since you’ve been good. That can all change today.
