UPFRONT October 29, 2007 Issue

It's worth the effort

JENNY ROEMER, STAFF EDITOR

Recently, as I flipped through the TV channels one evening, I noticed a number of shows that focused on breaking bad habits. There were people who needed help with conquering overeating, fixing abusive relationships, dealing with behavioral patterns of anger, and even resisting obsessive housecleaning. Each one of these individuals felt trapped by thoughts and behaviors that seemed beyond their control, despite the TV hosts' genuine commitment to helping solve these issues.

My heart went out to each person I saw putting forth the effort to be free from all-consuming habits. And I couldn't help thinking of the powerful spiritual perspective the pages of this week's Sentinel could offer to anyone in a similar situation.

The idea of being washed clean through God's love is addressed by many of the writers this week. Contributor John Adams that even as habits seem to "kick and scream" for a place in our lives as we're facing them down, God's law is behind us." He describes a moment in his life when throwing away the drugs he had been addicted to had ". . . a cleansing effect." And Marcia Rosen-Kemp shares her experience of gaining freedom from substance abuse, which came as she felt and acknowledged that God's goodness is "pouring into our hearts and lives." Even Benjamin Gladden's insights from this week's Bible Lesson focus on the parable of the prodigal son—a man who had his own share of destructive behavior to overcome.

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