In 2016, when I first met Bret, we were sitting outside a Starbucks sharing about our respective journeys. During this encounter, I was struck by his kindness. It was a bit overwhelming to me, and I was not sure it was real (because of my tendency to be skeptical of people I meet). Over the next few months, it began to dawn on me: this was a good-hearted person who seems to care about people. I knew I had to make this man my friend. I told myself I needed a friend like Bret Marshall. At the time, I had been making a conscious effort to seek out and associate with "givers." Since that fateful meeting, Bret and I (and, from time to time, a few others) have met once a week (now online), to share about our struggles, positive moments, and personal victories. I treasure these meetings as it has given me an opportunity to interact with someone who has been mired in sexual obsession yet has emerged, through hard work and a deep connection to a higher power, restored and ready to serve others who have experienced similar issues with lust and the various forms in which it manifests itself. In the past few weeks, Why Live Today has taught me to ask the "why" when significant events occur in my life. Before, I did not really think to ask myself about the reasons things happen to me — it was not part of my mental paradigm. Now, I know to ask the "why" so that I can "dig deep" — by contemplating, spending time in solitude, and prayerfully ask — to receive guidance and a mental framework to approach situations I find myself in.

" Your friendship, gift of shepherding and encouragement, example to follow, and gift of sexual healing, wholeness, & restoration have been invaluable to me."

The first time I called Bret, his reassurance and kind sharing of his time made me feel as if I, a wounded, weary traveler, had found a soft mattress to land my sadness and desperation for a forty minute period. Think of that; when was the last time a first time phone call with a stranger lasted forty minutes, unless they were trying to sell you life insurance? That is Bret’s character because of Bret’s belief in Jesus, belief in your personal worth and hope for your future. He’s now a deep personal friend and mentor, and I’m blessed to be accountable and shepherded by Him through Bret