Does God Pass Messages in Heaven?

by | Feb 21, 2021 | 12 comments

In 2014 I was addicted to both methamphetamine and the needles I used to deliver it into my veins. Dead and numb, I destroyed my body for a peace that I never got. I lived without morality and hurt everybody that ever loved me. I roamed around East Texas, forever chasing an escape that I could never find. The only emotions I could garner up were desperation for dope, hate for myself, and resentment for a God I held responsible for every bad thing that had ever happened to me.

My Last Picture from Active Addiction.

Which is strange because I didn’t really believe in God. I didn’t grow up in church, I had never read the Bible, and the few times I had been in a church was for weddings and funerals.

Christianity was boring and filled with rules that I would never follow.

I didn’t even have many people that were close to me that were Christians except my mom who found God only after we landed right in the middle of the bible belt. When she tried to talk to me about Jesus, I would laugh at her and tell her she joined a cult.

For the first few years of my addiction, I was homeless and moved between trap houses, hotels, and sleeping in my car and storage unit. My mom’s husband wouldn’t allow me to stay in their home because he knew I was on drugs. Her husband died on Christmas Eve of 2013.

I am deeply ashamed to admit that at the time, I was glad that he was dead.

I showed up at her house that night and moved right in, knowing that she would not turn me away.

Addict Chick and Mama

Me and my mama

I continued to use drugs, steal from my mom, and make her life miserable. One day she came into my room and told me that if I wanted to continue to live there, then I needed to start going to bible study with her every week. She was serious and I was furious. I figured that I could go to her little study and embarrass her enough that they wouldn’t invite me back. Problem solved.

It’s been over six years now since I walked into Lori and Elliot Godwin’s home for my first bible study, high as a kite, and prepared to launch a battle over God and faith.

I was introduced to Brooke who was Lori and Elliot’s daughter and Joe, Linda, and Christopher Greenwell. My bible study family—the people that God put in my life to guide me to Him.

There are 168 hours in a week and for one hour every week for nearly a year, I was sitting in that living room, high on meth. They all knew that I was on drugs and they welcomed me anyway. I used to marvel over how insane it was that they would allow a drug addict like me into their home. Like, weren’t they scared I was going to rob them blind? For the record, I never stole anything—not even the Bath and Body Works lotion I really wanted.

Even before I found salvation, I knew that God would be mad at me if I stole from Lori Godwin.

The battle for my soul raged and God had sent this unlikely group of people to love me, pray for me, and fight for me. They didn’t drag me from a burning building, but they saved me from the fires of hell. They didn’t pull me from the sea, but they did save me from drowning. They did not rescue my body, but they surely helped save my soul. I don’t know what would have happened to me without them, or where I would be now. Dead likely, with my soul forever burning for eternity.

My Bible Study Family

On February 4th, 2015  I was sitting in the post office parking lot in Whitehouse, Texas, broken and covered in blood. With hot tears falling down my face, I could feel an ache growing inside of my heart.

And as the sun began to break across the dawn, my faith rose from the ashes of doubt.

Every second of my life, every choice, and the drug addiction that dragged me across hell was leading me right to this moment. Before, the only time I would speak to God was to blame him or beg him to let me die. Finally, on this day, I screamed out to Him to save me. And He did.

It wasn’t until I was spiritually broken that I experienced abundant life. I haven’t gotten high since that day. My journey to salvation took 37 years but my brokenness meant that I no longer had to live independently from God.

“Then the man said, “Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you have struggled with God and with humans and have overcome.” Genisis 32.28

Pretty sure my name should be Isreal on account of my struggles with God. But I learned from my bible study family about Agape love. What does that mean? God is Agape love. It is selfless, pure, sacrificial love towards somebody with their best interest at heart. Agape love is a love with the power to change someone’s life. The way that my mom, Lori, Elliot, Brooke, Joe, Linda, and Christopher changed mine.

On February 7th, 2021 Joe Greenwell passed away suddenly.

Now,  I’m left wondering if God passes messages onto people in heaven when you pray. I need him to tell Joe all the things that I should have told him in life but didn’t. So, I decided to write a letter that God can slide into Joe’s DM’s from me.

Joe and Linda Greenwell

 

Dear Joe,

I know that you’re in heaven with Jesus and no matter how much we all wish you were still here, you wouldn’t come back—even if you could. Although the world doesn’t seem as beautiful to me anymore without your light, you taught me that I’m just passing through here anyway.

I wish I could go back and tell you how much you truly meant to me and what an important part you played in the story of my life. I used to watch you across that living room and wonder what it was like to love somebody so much that you believed that they were real, even if you couldn’t see them. You taught me that that was what faith was. Your patience taught me that I needed to hang out where God was hanging out. You loved me when I couldn’t love myself. You taught me that Jesus is the way, the only way and that I am the daughter of Christ.

Joe, you didn’t just change my life, you saved my life. The woman I have become began with the seed of hope you planted all those years ago. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for the life you have given me. 

I love you and miss you,

Amanda

12 Comments

  1. Selina Markson

    So touching and beautiful in so many ways ??

    Reply
  2. Robin Smith

    I so remember those Bible Studies & how much I prayed that God would touch you through this wonderful group of people. I am so thankful for all of them to be so open to loving my daughter. They did shine God into her life & I believe they were truly responsible for her life today. They all know how much I love them & I along with Amanda pray that God does pass along that love to Joe!

    Reply
    • Emily E Allen

      Amanda i love reading your stories and blogs so much. I can relate so much to the things that happened to you
      I too have people that were put in my path for a reason in order to save my life and the life of my child. Thank you for all that you do for our recovery community and for your help in ending the stigma surrounding addiction. I love you with my whole heart!

      Reply
  3. Tessa Johnston

    What an amazing testimony. God is able if we only seek him. Thank you Jesus. Amanda this made me cry like so many things you share with me. But this was tears of pure joy and happiness. It brings me to my knees to Praise Him and thank Him. I remember my cry. As many of us will never forget the work He did and continues to do an us each and every day. I am positive that Joe is is seated at the right hand of God. As God tells him thank you good and faithful servent. Job well done. They keep watch over you and many others. I love you. Tessa

    Reply
  4. Lori Godwin

    Joe touched so many people’s lives. I’m so glad you were one of them. We praise God for you and all you have accomplished. We love you!!!
    Lori

    Reply
  5. Rita McCowan

    Amanda, God has gifted you with a talent that not everyone has-the gift of reaching people with words. This is a beautiful testimony from the heart-you have been to the bottom and now you are soaring! I have no doubt that God personally delivered your beautiful words straight to your friend Joe. Please accept my deepest sympathies-I know what its like to lose someone close.

    Reply
    • Amanda Kappes

      Amanda,you are such an inspiration to me and many others. Ever since finding you I’m always looking for anything dealing with you and what you have to say. I absolutely love both your books. You are an awesome role model and one bad ass chick! I cant wait to be able to meet you one day..

      Reply
  6. Jennifer McCann

    Thank you sister. Every time I read your words, I am reminded of what an awesome God we serve and how grateful I am for his Agape love to save some wrecked out sinners like us. I’m pretty sure Joe knew how much you meant to him. Your actions and life change were daily proof to him. So sorry for the loss of your friend and I’m lifting his family up in prayer. Much love and God bless you.

    Reply
  7. Melissa Payne

    Thank you for sharing your story with us. The things you say are right on time and I know it’s God working through you. Keep shining your light lady.

    Reply
  8. Mandy

    You are truly an inspiration. I’m blessed that God put you in my path. You give me so much hope. Grateful for you Facebook page, your website, and your books. ???

    Reply
    • Addict Chick

      Thank you so much – I’m grateful to you and all the amazing women in my life. Love you!

      Reply
  9. Becky Rutherford

    Oh my goodness woman you had me crying reading this we are so blessed to have you in our lives and I cannot thank God enough for bringing you into my life it truly is because of God and you that I was able to get clean you inspire so many women

    Reply

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