I’m still a newspaper guy. Seriously. Even with a million apps and news feeds, I love turning those paper pages. I pay attention to the front-page drama, but the stories that change my week - or my life - are always buried deep inside. The other day, one headline stopped me: “Former Addict Offers Haircuts to Homeless People in Los Angeles.” It was the inspiring story of barber Beraldo Gabaldon. Beraldo sets up shop near MacArthur Park and cuts hair for the homeless, completely free. Why? He’s a former barbershop owner who made a dramatic, cross-country move to leave behind 15 years of drug and alcohol addiction. He got sober back in February, and now he's found his mission. As I read, I realized: recovery isn’t just about walking away from something - it’s about walking toward something. Purpose. Service. Connection. He didn't wait until he felt "fixed." He pivoted from being a person in need of help to being a person offering help. He found his ultimate reason for sustained sobriety. His service isn't just a kindness to his customers; it's the solid foundation for his own lasting recovery. It’s proof that finding your purpose is the real fuel for redemption. If you need a shot of hope this week, or a reminder that your biggest obstacle can become your greatest mission, you’ve got to read Beraldo’s story of service and sobriety.

Posted by World Methodist Evangelism at 2025-11-19 19:18:02 UTC