Most of you that know me, know that I have smoked cigarettes since I was 19. I smoked up to one and a half (1 1/2) packs per day for the past 28 years. And most of you that know me also know that, by the grace of God, and through the scientific breakthrough of a prescription drug called Chantix, I was able to quit smoking once and for all. I followed the protocols, took the medication as prescribed, and was able to wean off cigarettes in the matter of 2 weeks time. It has been since December 27th, 2008 that I have been smoke free! (Thank you, Lord!)
A Facebook friend of mine is thinking of using Chantix, so she asked for advice from her Facebook friends. She wanted to know the real experiences and successes that people have had using this drug, so I told her my story. In retelling the story and in sharing how life is now without smoking, my eyes were definitely opened by God to some very strong parallels, messages and conclusions.
I am a follower of Jesus Christ, but I am not perfect. I must apologize to the many friend that I have that read my blog if they have ever met someone who said they were a “Christian, Saved, Sanctified, or Spirit Filled”, but really didn’t lead a life that was any different than anyone else. A true follower of Jesus Christ strives to live daily as Jesus did; by being humble, loving, forgiving, compassionate, sincere, and most of all (to me) by living a life of holiness. Holiness can be defined as this: US SECURING A NEW REPUTATION through JESUS CHRIST! I now have a REPUTATION as a former smoker, but furthermore, I am securing a NEW REPUTATION through Christ in that I am giving up my OLD SELF (and my old way of living) and putting on Christ’s way of living.
For this to make any sense to you, you have to know where I came from in my life. I ask that you read my last blog for some of this information in order to understand that I was not a very nice guy to be around. By God’s grace (getting what I don’t really deserve) and by his mercy (not getting what I really do deserve), I have been transformed. I am not the same man I was 20 years ago. This is the reason for this blog. I owe apologies to many different people who I have offended, taken advantage of, stolen from, demeaned or demoralized, or just made sick because of my apathy towards them. Just as when I was a smoker, I offended a lot of people with my lifestyle. As a smoker, all of my non-smoking friends, family, customers and so forth had to tolerate the shear smell of cigarette smoke on my body, in my clothes, in my breath; to you people I want to say “I am sorry” for that. But even moreso, I am sorry and am truly regretful of my past and ask for forgiveness for my actions against you in my past. I regret so many stupid decisions I made when I was younger, and only now I am seeing how wrong i was. I had asked God, through his son, Jesus Christ to forgive me for this stuff 15 years ago, but I never asked those who I had directly offended to forgive me. Now is that time! I love all you guys , but moreso, I love God and want to follow what he wants me to do.
Thanks for taking the time to read this! If you want to talk about anything I’ve blogged about, email me (insurancemanharold@yahoo.com) or IM me on facebook if we are facebook friends!
Til next time
Harold
Good stuff.
Harold, I want to thank you for forwarding your blog. If you remember we crossed paths a couple of times when I was in what I would describe as ” the abismal pit of my own personal hell” and I gather from what I read you were going thru a really ruff time also. I never forgot you, as you were someone I looked up to growing up and liked as a friend. As for me, Jesus rescude me. I truly know what the pshalmist meant when he wrote that ” His mercy endures forever”. It would be hard to put into words all that God has done for me. He rescude me when I was beyond hope. He forgave me completly. He blessed me more than I could dream. I am completly dumbfounded that someone as undesearving as I, could be so loved by God and His Son, Jesus Christ as I am. And I am blessed again to not only get back in touch with you, but to also learn of all that God has and is doing in your life! Keep fighting the good fight Harold!!! God bless you!!!