Blake walked into the office recently holding an envelope and said, “I want to read you something.” We could tell by the smile on his face it was going to be something good.
He unfolded a piece of paper and started reading, “Ordered, Adjudged, and Decreed as follows: The parties have agreed that it is in the best interest of the minor child to be placed in the physical and legal custody of the father.” When he got to the word “father” his voice betrayed his emotion surrounding that word.
This moment had been a long time coming for Blake, a His Way graduate and the director of our Aftercare program.
Where is Home?
Blake’s history is a journey through the depths of early childhood trauma and abuse, of feeling unsafe and unsettled, and of addiction- and finally of redemption. It is truly a story of “Finding Home.”
After suffering abuse in his very early childhood, Blake’s drug use began at the shockingly young age of 10. By 12, he faced his first arrest for possession, a grim foreshadowing of the years of legal entanglements to come. His experimentation escalated rapidly, from marijuana and alcohol in his early teens to methamphetamines and even selling cocaine by 15.
Despite the mounting consequences, Blake continued down this destructive path – desperate and completely out of control. Arrests became a regular occurrence, a stark reminder of the chaos and turmoil that defined his life. In and out of prison, Blake faced the harsh realities of incarceration and eventually the absence of his son, Gage, born during one of his stints behind bars. Gage was two years old before Blake ever got to meet him.
Welcome Home
It wasn’t until July 4, 2018 – a day marked not by fireworks but one final arrest – that Blake found the catalyst for change. Sobriety became a milestone he looked forward to celebrating more than his own birthday. In prison for the last time, Blake says that he found God, completely gave up drugs, and nothing has been the same since.
When a new resident arrives at His Way, the custom of our staff is to warmly greet them, “Welcome Home!”
After prison, Blake chose His Way and was welcomed home to our campus for the first time. For Blake, His Way was a “land of milk and honey” compared to the dark realities of prison life, and the love and care he experienced were a stark contrast to the suspicion and hostility of his past environments.
The journey towards reconciliation with his family was long and arduous, marked by legal battles and emotional turmoil. But Blake persisted, fueled by the desire to reclaim his role as a father and rebuild the trust of his family. His visitation rights granted on Gage’s seventh birthday marked a significant milestone, another glimmer of light to drown out the darkness of his past.
Eternal Home
Today, Blake stands as a testament to God’s faithfulness. By God’s grace and the support of his family and friends, Blake purchased his first home at the age of 38 and gained custody of his son. Setting up their new home together has been an exciting journey for both of them.
Guided by his faith and supported by his community at Essential Church and His Way, Blake now helps others find “home” by being a friend and by directing our His Way Aftercare program, which includes transitional housing for graduates who choose it. Blake enjoys sharing the hope of a true home in the Kingdom of Heaven.
This year at His Way, we are encouraging people and organizations to “Give-a-Way” for people like Blake to find their way home. Our prayer is that by hearing the stories of His Way supporters like Jim and Gloria Harrington, Jackson Ledford, and so many others, you will be moved to join us in our mission to provide Christ-centered recovery to men throughout North Alabama.
To see more “Give-A-Way” stories and videos, go to https://hiswayinc.org/give-a-way/.
Written by Brenda Newman, Director of Business Operations