For the first time in over a year long-time Guiding Light volunteer Larry Slager was able to meet with men in-person at the Guiding Light facility in downtown Grand Rapids.
He has been working with men in the Recovery program as a Spiritual Director, teacher, and guide for over a decade. Every two weeks Larry meets with former clients of the Recovery program to facilitate “Inner Compass.” Inner Compass is an hour and a half long meeting and inter-faith dialogue for these men to discuss their spiritual condition among themselves without judgement. Larry has been maintaining this practice for years with Guiding Light alumni men, as a means of helping them to continue on their journey in sobriety and to stay grounded in the spiritual principles they learned during their time in the program.
During a session of Inner Compass, the men are given time to reflect, discuss their thoughts, and meditate on meanings they took from spiritual readings chosen and presented by Larry. All the men in the program have different conceptions and levels of spirituality in their lives, and the discussions within the context of Inner Compass are designed to reflect and facilitate that. In addition, Recovery members Nick, Ryan, and Doug had a chance later to share personal stories about how their faith has evolved throughout their time at Guiding Light, and how they are feeling today.
The philosophy of sobriety and recovery at Guiding Light is holistic and all-encompassing. The struggles with addiction that men come here for is not just a physical and mental sickness, but a spiritual one as well. Finding meaning and purpose in life through spirituality is just as important, if not more than any other aspect of the Recovery program. Being able to have a space where men suffering from addiction can learn the vital tools and lessons of sobriety and recovery is such an invaluable asset to our community.
There are countless success stories out there today of men that came to our doors and found a relationship with God, a sense of self-reliance, and a willingness to live as the best version of themselves. Thank you for giving us the means to keep our doors open and to continue extending a hand to those who need it. Without you, our generous donors, volunteers, and advocates, who have tirelessly supported throughout these crazy times, we are eternally grateful. God bless, and thank you from all of us at Guiding Light.
