It doesn’t get any tougher that what you’re about to read. This is real and there’s a video profile at the end that I insist that you watch.
Suppose God were to create a modern day Job. I think his life might go something like this:
Let’s call our guy Joshua, and let’s throw everything at him. We’ll start with the parents. We’ll make his father a member of the Outlaws Motorcycle gang, and we’ll give Mom a drug addiction. That’s a tough start. Looks like Joshua might have to raise himself. Joshua does have an important adult relationship with his grandfather who helps guide Joshua. Too bad. A drunk driver kills off his Grandfather at the age of 12. Joshua starts drinking to mask his pain and becomes a 12 year old alcoholic.
At 14, we’ll introduce Joshua to drugs. All of them. And to make the challenge more interesting, we’re going to give Joshua an addictive personality so that he becomes an addict. Remember, he’s already an alcoholic. Let’s introduce him to pot–that’s an easy little gateway drug right? Okay, pots not enough. How about heroin, coke, crack, meth, LSD and every other fucking drug you can think of. Mission accomplished. At 14 Joshua becomes a drug addict and an alcoholic.
Joshua’s going to need easy access to all of those drugs, so let’s get him in a gang. A big one. One you’ve heard of. Use your imagination here. Joshua’s going to be a drug dealer, a gang banger and he’ll regularly participate in drive-by shootings. At this point, there’s not much use for school, so Joshua quits.
Here’s a great idea for his 16th birthday. We’re gonna have him shot. Yep. Joshua gets shot on his 16th birthday. By a friend. Shot. Some kids get a car for their 16th…Joshua takes a bullet. Happy Birthday! Joshua heals and continues his drinking and drugging ways. One day, Joshua gets epically fucked-up on speed balls, crank and LSD. He was 17. Remember he’s in a gang. Gang members pack heat. Okay, so here he is minding his own business, high as shit and guess who walks by? Yep. You guessed right. The guy who shot him on his 16th birthday. What does Joshua do? He walks across the street to the guy, says “remember me?”, and blows the guys brains out right there in the street. Street justice.
Joshua ends up in jail and earns his street name–Six–for the 6 felony murder charges he was facing. He ends up getting acquitted on the murder charges and gets out of prison. Joshua hangs with a really rough crowd and ends up back in prison. He serves a couple of 5 year terms and at 31 years old, has spent the last 10 years in prison. One day while in prison, Joshua gets high and drunk. He gets so fucked up that he is unable to walk. Some of his friends inside take him to the chapel and dump him on a pew where he could sober up. The prison minister that day is a member of Hells Angels. Remember, Joshua’s dad was an Outlaw, so this guy is an arch enemy. Joshua makes a half-assed attempt to make sense of what’s being said. Suddenly, Joshua experiences a moment of clarity. He stands up and confronts the Hells Angels minister.
“How did you do that?”
“Do what?”
“Make me sober. I was so fucked up 10 minutes ago that my friends had to carry me in here and drop me off. I literally couldn’t walk. What is it that you’ve got?”
“God.”
That was the moment that defines who Joshua is today. From that moment onward Joshua began to straighten out his life. He completed his GED while in prison and began studying the bible. He’s out of prison now, and has a desire to speak to at-risk youths, to keep them from going through the hell that has been his life. They’re likely not as strong as Joshua and they may not survive. Hearing Joshua speak would be a blessing to at risk-teens. I have no doubt about that whatsoever.
But God wasn’t done testing Joshua yet. Joshua broke his hip in a parking lot and had to have a partial hip replacement. He’s unable to do the honest work that he used to do in sober moments–construction. He’s applied for disability, but that’s a bureaucratic waiting game. Despite this set-back, his will is strong and he’s staying clean, sober and determined.
Meet Joshua:
I’ve met Joshua several times now and have spent hours just listening to him talk about his ex-life. His story is compelling. At risk-youths would benefit from hearing him speak.
I like Joshua. I’m a fan. He’s lived against all odds and is determined to rise above his previous insanely challenging circumstances. He could go home and get off the streets, but he’d have to live with a meth addict. That’s not an option.
Think about the predicament he’s in. Not everybody that’s on the streets had a fair shot from the get-go, and frankly, not everyone on the streets is making any effort to get off. This guy’s trying hard. He has a purpose, the desire and the will to make it. He’s surrounded himself with real friends that help one another stay the course.
Put Joshua in your prayers.
Your comments are appreciated. Please share this post.
Cheers,
Jim
No doubt “Six” is a survivor. I have known him for about 3 months and spend most days with him. This past Saturday afternoon there was a wedding at the church. Normally I am there to oversee the facility but this time I had a previous engagement and could not be there. Having a temp stand in as Building Mgr I thought everything would go smoothly but around 6pm my phone started ringing. It was SIx. I had set up 4 guys to re-set the sanctuary from wedding to Sunday service and when they showed up the Mgr left. Taking the leed, he called me for direction and over the phone he guided the others to complete the task. They not only re-set the seating but re-did all the stage instruments and had the entire building clean, locked up and ready for the congregation to walk in a start worship.
Gang member? Drug addict? Homeless? Irresponsible RIGHT? Take a look at those around you a little closer and get to know some of them and you might be suprised what you’ll find.
Not at all surprised to hear that he did that. He’s a solid guy with a challenging past and purpose in his future. He can come to my barbecue anytime.
I was moved by Six’s story, it tells a tale of a man who, despite all odds, and despite his sordid past turned from a life of wrongdoing to be a positive role model in people’s lives. I myself am a good friend of his, and after hearing his story, I’m always able to look to him for good advice and positive encouragement whenever I get tempted to do something stupid, or just in need of a shoulder to cry on, Six is always right there when I or anyone else needs him, and I love him for that, that’s why he’s called my big brother.
I know josh and am a prison minister, that is how i met him. I just saw him saturday night nat the safehouse it was awesome to share with each other what God is doing.
I would love to share this with my kids at church , your use of profanity for effect takes away from the impact of josh;s story. Sometimes less is more!
Josh’s brother in Christ
mike
Josh is such a great guy i meet him almost a year ago and see him ever thursday. When he told me his story i was amazed that someone like that could get out of the situation he was in. i couldn’t imagine someone trying to stop like he did,He has such a great story and he has changed so much! God has done some amazing things in 6! And God will continue to change josh where ever his paths take him.i’m so proud of you josh and i’ll see you this thursday!!!!
love your little sister callie:)
I met “SIX” this past week, i met him before i new anything about his life, before i read his story & i immediately fell in love with the person he is. The most genuine kind hearted person u could think of. I wish i could of brought him home with me. He is a friend i will keep forever in my heart. He made me a Spoon ring that means more to me then almost anything ive ever recieved. I wanna thank him for being so welcoming and showing me the way a true friends supposed to be and how to trust. South Lake wales church of god Loves you Six!<3 we will keep u in out Thoughts, Prayers, & hearts for eternity.
-Alysha
I see Joshua every Thursday, his story is amazing & never gets old !
I love you , God Father!! (:
Wow a story I can relate to. I am now 39yrs. old and on home detention. It seems that the addictive personality gets you stuck for a long time. I started out at about oh 14 yrs. of age drinking and drugging, first the gateway drug pot and then pills, cocaine and then heroin thats what took me to the streets and a life of chasing the same high daily. I go to church on a regular basis. I love God so much if it wasn’t for him I would not be sitting here writing to you right now. I should of been dead a long time ago. The streets, drugs, stealing, cheating, getting locked up was all I knew. Today I have 3 awesome children and a fiancee’ like I said I am on Home detension and I am in the Methadone clinic I do not believe I have the strength right now to get off of the Methadone without going back to the drugs. I do not know how to cope. I am afraid of myself and the things I am capable of. Don’t get me wrong I definatelty like who I am today I have stability, a good job, custody of my children, a house I rent and actuallty pay the rent and the bills, I am trust worthy. I have a relationship with my family again. I just still am a little stuck if you know what I mean. I think sometimes will I ever be totally free. I know this is a desiese and it will be with me forever but it does not have to be resurficing all the time. It could sit dorment if I learn how to controll it fully. I thank you so much for the story and I am thankful I am not alone. I will keep him in my prayers and I also ask to be kept in all your prayers.
I met Six at Safe House Outreach earlier this week. He is such a friendly person who is so willing to share his story. I can’t wait to go back next week and talk with him again…