“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” – Psalm 34:18
There’s something strange about silence after chaos.
Some of us don’t talk about it much—the war we carry inside. We slap a smile on our face, go to work, make small talk at church. But underneath it all? We’re limping. Not from visible wounds—but from memories that sting like shrapnel. Regrets. Failures. Words we can’t take back. People we’ve lost. Things we’ve done.
That’s where grace shows up.
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Robert’s Story Hits Different
Robert Cale stood in front of a crowd of strangers and told the kind of story most of us would bury. Abandonment. Addiction. Rage. Broken relationships. He didn’t share it to be dramatic. He shared it because Jesus walked into that disaster and turned it into something holy.
Born into trauma. Raised in instability. Thrust into the Marines looking for structure—but came back home a man wrecked by war. Not just the kind with bombs and bullets—but the kind that visits you in your sleep and whispers that no one really cares.
The alcohol numbed it—for a while. But it also chipped away at everything that made life livable. Marriage? Gone. Relationship with his kids? Strained. Purpose? Lost. Hope? Practically dead.
Then came September 9, 2015.
When the Gospel Collides With Rock Bottom
That was the day Robert stopped fighting grace.
He didn’t stumble into a church and hear a feel-good message. He heard truth. The kind that doesn’t just comfort—it confronts. And what hit him hardest was this verse:
“Christ died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for Him who died for them…” – 2 Corinthians 5:15
That wasn’t a religious slogan to him. It was a lifeline. A call to come and die—so he could finally live. He surrendered everything. The anger. The pain. The shame. Even the parts he still didn’t understand.
Forgiveness Doesn’t Feel Natural—It Feels Impossible
Let’s be real: sometimes forgiveness feels like weakness.
When someone’s hurt you deep, and they walk away smiling while you’re left with the damage, it feels wrong to just “let it go.” But the longer you hold on to that pain, the more it holds on to you.
Robert didn’t have a magical healing moment. He had a messy one. He had to confess sins out loud—yes, even the ones no one else knew about. He had to go to his children and apologize. He had to admit, “I was wrong. I need help. I need Jesus.”
And that’s where things started to change.
Not because he finally got strong, but because he got real.
Healing Happens in the Open
Grace isn’t allergic to your darkness. In fact, it thrives there.
Robert found healing not in hiding—but in stepping into the light. And he didn’t do it alone. That’s the other thing: he stayed close to four pillars that kept him grounded:
The Word of God – not as a checklist, but as food for his weary soul
Prayer – not polished speeches, but raw, honest cries
Church Community – people who could call him out and lift him up
Accountability – brothers in Christ who wouldn't let him go back
These aren’t just nice ideas. They’re spiritual survival gear. Because the enemy doesn’t stop attacking just because you said yes to Jesus.
Grace Isn’t Fair—And That’s the Whole Point
Robert stood before a congregation and said, “Life isn’t fair. But grace isn’t about fair—it’s about the price Jesus already paid.”
That’ll stop you in your tracks.
Grace doesn’t make sense to the world. It’s not karma. It’s not payback. It’s not balanced scales. Grace is Jesus taking the bullet meant for you—and then handing you His peace like a wrapped gift you didn’t earn and could never repay.
Forgiveness Isn’t a Feeling—It’s a Decision
You don’t forgive because the person deserves it. You forgive because Jesus forgave you.
You forgive so you can finally lay that heavy thing down. So you can breathe again. So your soul can stop replaying the same scenes on loop.
Forgiveness is for the ones who are tired of being tired.
And maybe that’s you today.
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Reflective Questions:
1. Are you holding onto something God is asking you to release?
2. Have you been waiting to forgive until it “feels” right?
3. What’s keeping you from walking in the freedom Jesus already bought?
Want to learn more about Robert and his ministry? Check him out below!
https://substack.com/@koinonia59?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android&r=57gi5m
Conclusion
Redemption isn’t a fantasy—it’s a fact. And it’s available to anyone who will come to the cross empty-handed.
Robert’s story isn’t unique because he was a Marine or an addict. It’s powerful because it reminds us that no one is too far gone when grace shows up.
Jesus didn’t come to patch us up—He came to resurrect us.
So if you’re feeling buried?
Good news: He’s in the resurrection business.
Awesome Brother Mark! Thank you for your service to our country Robert, there are those that appreciate those who have and still serve…what an inspiring testimony too, I’m glad Jesus found you and more importantly that you accepted Him! 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽
Good job Mark and Robert on collaboration. And thanks for sharing the story of redemption through Christ...