Alisa Bickham : I’ve known Alisa for a few years now but really over the last year our relationship has grown. I’ve seen a crumbled, an angry, a cautious and a baby step woman and now I see a renewed light shining in her smile. God did that for her, in his timing! We might not understand his timing during the process but I believe you’ll see that Alisa is beginning to understand it in her story…………….
My walk with God started in my 20’s. As a young Christian, I was blind to how much “self” was the focus of my life — sufficiency, pride, fear, perfectionism, materialism, and self righteous judgment.
In my 30’s, my husband and I felt the call to adopt from Russia. Over the course of 5 years, we adopted 3 children. We rocked along for about 8 years. As the children began to mature, issues surfaced. There was never a peaceful calm. One morning during my quiet time, the Lord laid it on my heart to pray for restoration for each family member. I wrote the petition on a piece of paper, front and back. That same night, our world turned upside down with the realization that our 10 year old son — who was our oldest son — was addicted to pornography. Our middle son had been diagnosed with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome several years before this. Our daughter was soon to be diagnosed with PTSD from trauma suffered while in the Russian orphanage that we were unaware of. We adopted her at the age of 7 1/2.
With the progression of the addiction to porn, we sent our oldest son to rehab at the age of 15. It was during this time that our daughter started having flashbacks. She subsequently did a one week Intensive Therapy followed by several years of ongoing therapy. Our youngest son started to spiral out of control with his behaviors also.
As our family seemed to be crashing, my husband lost his job. I questioned God and began to say “If this is what restoration looks like, no thanks.” We were not functioning as a family unit but as wounded souls, each trying to make it through the day. My husband and I had exhausted any and all savings plus a lot of our retirement. I was angry and carrying guilt for not trusting God.
Then God planted us in KY. We have seen His hand in our relocation. Our daughter has gotten a scholarship and is attending a KY college and is continuing to heal. After undergraduate, she will continue her studies to become a trauma based therapist. Our youngest son who is almost 20 has moved in with another couple and is flourishing; and we are hopeful one day, he can live on his own. Our oldest son is still walking without God, but I know God has plans for him and will bring it about in His time.
My husband and I completed the Step Study in Celebrate Recovery. I will start working with a holistic detox/ safe house for women who are victims of Sex Trafficking.
About three quarters of the petitions God laid on my heart to pray for restoration of our family have become a reality. The path to sanctification and restoration may not be easy or look like what I had envisioned; but dying to self and becoming more like Jesus is worth it.
Isaiah 41:8-10
“But you, Israel, my servant, Jacob, whom I have chosen, you descendants of Abraham my friend, I took you from the ends of the earth, from its farthest corners I called you. I said, ‘you are my servant,’ I have chosen you and have not rejected you. So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
Just beautiful………….I pray that you have gleaned some insight on how God works in our lives,
Love ya, Rhonda
Rhonda Gould Coaching & Consulting 