Dear Bruce,

     I know you said that the only thing you take credit for was "my hair blew in the wind."  But I do believe you can take credit for something very important.  You said "yes" to God.  Your obedience was the first step that brought my son back from self destruction and suicide. 

     I had only been a Christian for a few years when my son started on his downward trend.  He and his friends got  involved with drugs, alcohol and I don't think I want to know the rest.  He was always a gentle peace loving person who turned into someone I didn’t recognize.  He got into unbelievable debt, lost his job and his car.  He would disappear for days, and I had no idea where he was, whether he was alive or dead.  If I tried talking to him about it he became violent and abusive. Needless to say I spent my time on my knees in prayer with worry.

     One night in desperation I surrendered my son into God’s hands. It was the first good night sleep I had in months.  A few weeks later while shopping I had the overwhelming feeling I needed to get a book.  I didn't know the title or subject or anything.  I just knew I had to find a book.  I searched every book store in the mall and my attention fell to a book lying in the middle of the bottom shelf on its own.  That was it! That was the book God wanted me to read - "In the Footsteps of Jesus" by Bruce Marchiano. 

     I could not put the book down.   I cried. I laughed. I had never imagined Jesus as you described Him. I was blown away.

     I was talking about the book to a friend of mine one afternoon while my son who had just got out of bed, was sitting at the kitchen table having breakfast.  He must have been listening because when my friend left he asked if I still had the book.  I had loaned it to someone but I said yes.  When he left a short while later I phoned to get it back immediately (I did feel bad, but drastic measures for drastic times).  I placed it on the coffee table.   Later I noticed that it was gone and when I next saw my son he looked visibly disturbed.  He asked me when the next Alpha course at my church was starting.  He asked if he could join.  Outwardly I was calm but inwardly I was exploding, thank you Lord, thank you God, thank you Jesus.

     He came and joined the youth group and started Alpha.  At the end of one evening the youth went into the chapel to pray.  My son who walked into the chapel and my son who walked out were two different people.  God touched him in such a powerful way, he glowed.  He didn't know whether he wanted to laugh or cry.  God had turned his life upside down.  No withdrawals from drugs or alcohol.  He was completely turned around.  Praise be to God.  (A note to add.  My son's friends who at this point disowned him have all now come to the Lord too.  Praise God.) 

     My son shared his testimony in church once and I was shocked to discover that he was considering killing himself.  Your book came to my son at the right time.  God gave me back my son more wonderful than before.  I cannot thank Him enough.  But I also wanted to say thank you to you.  Thank you for becoming the "puppet on His strings," for I know He is still using you as a mighty witness.

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