Luke's Story

By Leslie Stickland, Chosen Program Director

Many years ago, while working at a local residential treatment facility, I worked with a young man who we'll call Luke. Luke was 16, extremely charismatic, a little quite mischievous and smart. Really smart. He was obsessed with body building, girls, being cool, and did I mention body building? He had been brought to Alaska from another country as a boy, illegally, by his mother who later left him with some "friends" and then returned to her home country. In light of his circumstances, Luke grew up quickly and in turn, acquired quite the arsenal of street smarts and coping mechanisms. Overtime he got mixed up with the wrong crowd, started using drugs, and eventually landed himself in DJJ (Department of Juvenile Justice) custody. Luke was one of those kids that all the other kids wanted to be like. He was a natural leader and to those unaware of his story, presented simply as a "normal," good looking kid with great potential. He could give all the right answers, was great at telling you what he thought you wanted to hear, and in his mind, did not need treatment of any kind.

​One afternoon, Luke leisurely walked in my office and sat down in the chair across from my desk. Residential treatment life is hard and kids will come in to talk about anything, from weather to math, if it means getting a reprieve from their current reality... so I didn't think anything of it. But when I looked up from my computer screen, I knew instantly that something was off. Before I could even ask, the tears started flowing and for the next hour, Luke sat there slumped over, recalling and retelling story after story from his life. 

Stories of his favorite grandfather and his favorite grandfather's death. Stories of growing up in Costa Rica and stories of getting hurt by people who were supposed to help him. As he talked, I just sat there quietly and listened. It was almost as if he wasn't even talking to me or even himself for that matter. As if all of the hurt and joy and confusion that had been stuffed inside for so long simply couldn’t be contained any longer and just needed to breath. When he finally quieted, he let out a huge sigh and looked up at me quite abashedly, waiting for my response.

I believe that God is always speaking, I just don't always do an awesome job of listening. However, in that moment with Luke, I heard the Lord loud and clear. So I simply asked, "Would you rather I give you my therapist answer, or can I just pray for you?" Without hesitating, Luke bowed his head and said, "Please pray"... so I did. When we were through, Luke opened his eyes and sat up straight. The heaviness and weariness in his body was gone. Were all of his problems fixed? No. Did he leave treatment and cease to struggle? No. But he did walk away from my office that day with a peace and taste of freedom that he had never before encountered.

The Lord taught me a lot through that afternoon with Luke. He taught me that people have to deal with their "stuff" when they're ready. He taught me that being available and willing to listen are two of the most valuable things we can offer people. But most importantly, He reminded me that He is the healer. That He is forever moving and working in and around all of us and that to do ANYTHING outside of that which He is already doing is in vain.
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I tell you all of this as an invitation. We feel that the most important thing we can do as program leaders, volunteers, and mentors is pray, so we want to do just that. Join our monthly Team Meetings as a time for us to gather, pray, laugh, and dream all things Chosen. We hope you will join us!