Choosing to Think the Best

A couple of years ago I dismissed a student from Titus 2 for egregious violations of rules and an unrelentingly rebellious spirit after only a short time in the Titus 2 program. She moved on and amazingly, accomplished her goals under her own steam with little outside help, though with what continued to be a considerable amount of outside demands and supervision. I watched her grow. I cheered for her when I could, gave her help when needed, and I was delighted to see her “make it”. I pray that the lessons she’s as she’s struggled these last few years will not be forgotten.
This past week it was reported to me that she had told someone new in recovery that “there is no one you’d rather have at your back than Mrs. Cathy.” She also volunteered the opinion that I am “tough” but that “she’ll do everything she can for you as long as you’re doing your part.” ! What better recommendation can a life recovery counselor get than that of someone who earned the counselor’s respect over time and who seems to have reciprocated with a similar opinion?
If the truth were to be fully known, I may be being entirely manipulated and totally used, but I prefer to think that some who appear to fail recovery in the short term actually do get what they need, no matter how briefly they stay and that God continues to mold their lives in ways that I never could.