I received the following email Friday, Jan. 31, from Ashley Taylor, a recovering drug addict:

“Hi Mr. Harold,  

I want to take this opportunity to thank God for sending you in my life for a brief moment, although my journey of battling addiction wasn’t over when we met. I have to tell you that today, after four years of sobriety and giving my life to Christ, I am truly grateful.

God has given me a brand new start and I have overcome crack, iv heroin, prostituting, and I now have my family back. Also, recently I got full custody of my son.

My testimony is what I have and it fuels me today. I help others and love to connect with people and let them know what God has done in my life.

I wanted to reach you to find out if there is any way you can help me share my story with others. Please contact me by phone or e-mail. Thanks again. I would love to have more places or outlets to give my testimony.”

As Ashley suggested, I called her and we later met.  

She shared that we met seven years ago at the request of her mother. She explained that her drug use caused her to seek help at three drug treatment centers. She was hospitalized numerous times, lived on the street and spent time in jail.  

It was while at a two-year treatment center in Baton Rouge that she attended weekly Bible meetings conducted by members of “The Healing Place,” which is a church in Baton Rouge. She had a spiritual experience and accepted Jesus.

Ashley met Stephen, who is also a Christian, while at the treatment center, and they were married after completing the program.

Today, Ashley has her son, Parker, and she and Stephen have a little girl named Skylar. Together, they have a desire to share what God has done in their lives.

I thank them for giving me permission to share this amazing story. Ashley and Stephen have been set free. It reminds me of the song “Amazing Grace” – “I once was blind, but now I see.”

If you have any questions or comments, please write to Get High on Life, P.O. Drawer U, Reserve, LA 70084, call 985-652-8477, or email hkeller@comcast.net.