Our God Can Make a Way
Jessica Sample’s story beautifully illustrates the transformative work God is doing through A Radical Difference. The new book, Stay Lit …Freedom That Lasts, outlines how God accomplished something similar in Texas’s life. To find out when the book launches in your area, visit aradicaldifference.com or keep an eye on social media.
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Friend to the Friendless
My name is Jessica Sample. Today I’m happy to report that I am radically different. I’ve known Texas a long time and in adverse circumstances. Although we only used together for about three months at the very end of her addiction, we’ve been friends a lot longer than that. From being bunkies at St. Matthews House—a homeless shelter—twice, to three jail stints, one of which we were in the same cell. For 16 years, no matter what was going on in my life or hers, I have been able to call her my friend.
At the age of 10, I was introduced to the concept of God, but fear was the only view that stuck with me. I didn’t understand a relationship with the One who loves me intensely and created me purposefully—not until I met Texas. She knew that stuff so well it poured from her almost on accident, and I held onto every word of it. I learned Jesus was a Father to the fatherless and a Friend to the friendless. He was someone who wanted to help, not dominate.
The Beautiful Place of Submission
I’ll never forget meeting Texas. I was a lost, broken, and hopeless 21-year-old. She embraced me, loved me, and encouraged me right where I was. She has played many roles in my life, mother, sister, friend, and mentor. Coming from a broken home and having experienced sexual, physical, and emotional abuse of every kind, my soul (mind, will, and emotions) was buried so deep I could hardly access them anymore.
Watching Texas make it out of that Life gave me hope, but it took me 12 more years to get to the place where I am today. But I am here—the beautiful place of submission. A Radical Difference has seen me through the loss of several significant people, having to give up my three beautiful daughters, overdosing 20 times, and multiple incarcerations. No matter what I thought or felt, the RAD posts told me that God knew everything and still loved me. Without judgment, I was reminded that God was waiting for me to change my mind.
Profound Freedom and Peace
I’ve gone from homeless, living in the woods and eating out of dumpsters with a needle in my neck, to a woman of God who is making a difference. I wake up every morning free from addictive desires. Honoring my Savior with my thoughts and behaviors has led me to a state of profound freedom and peace. The healing God has provided includes employment, education, restoration of relationships with my children and family, as well as many supportive friends.
Our God can make a way, and I am living proof.
– Jess
Be a Part of This Mission
A Radical Difference is absolutely living up to its name. Your support helps us provide transformative resources like Stay Lit …Freedom That Lasts and Get Hooked Up to over one million prison tablets, reaching the “forgotten” with this same message of hope. This organization is a 501(c)(3) and will provide you with a tax write-off[cite: 3456].
You can give at A Radical Difference or mail your check to:
133 Alderman Dr.,
Lake Placid, FL 33852[cite: 3431].
Love you guys,
Texas ✨
This is how you stay lit
Although I’ve never been a hard drug user, I come from a home with an abusive and jealous father and was traumatized over and over as I was growing up having to watch my brother receive brutal beatings from my him. His misplaced rage stemmed from his own abusive father. His jealousy was directed at me because of my close relationship to his wife, my mother.
I did what many people do when they’re trying to deal with the parts of their lives that confuse or overwhelm them, I self medicated with my chosen substance, weed. I smoked pot from around the age of 15 or 16 until I was in my 50’s. I tried to stop a few times, maybe several times but was never successful. I finally returned to the Lord as I was getting a divorce. That’s when He lovingly removed my desire to smoke. God can do amazing things when we trust Him, when we submit to Him and ask Him to guide us. And we can be examples and a source of encouragement for each other when we do.
Thank you so much for taking the time to share part of your story with us. It is amazing. You are amazing. May God continue to bless you on your journey.
Thanks so much for taking the time to share part of your story. It is a huge encouragement to me as well as anyone else who reads it. Glory to God for all he has done in your life. So glad you are safe in His arms now.
This is so inspiring, I’m in love with profound Peace and Freedom. Whom the son sets free is free indeed.
Love you Sis Texas.
You have been such a huge support to me. Thank you so much for taking the time to leave this comment. Grateful for you.
YES!!! That’s one of the huge pluses. No doubt about that. Thank you for your comment.