Gulfport man chronicles life of drug abuse and recovery through God

PASS CHRISTIAN, Miss. (WLOX) - A Gulfport man is detailing his struggles and how he overcame them in a recently-released book that tells his life story.

Over the years, Sidney and Judy Smith have endured extreme challenges but, now, their lives are full of joy and hope. They are hoping to help others with their story, which they say was completely made possible through faith.

“It’s one of those journeys that you really can’t believe because it’s unbelievably amazing,” Judy said.

And that’s exactly what the Smith’s new book is called: “Unbelievably Amazing.”

“The book talks about and whispers about us, but it screams about mercy and grace and forgiveness,” said Sidney.

The book chronicles the Sidney’s fight over the course of 27 years to go from a high school dropout that was addicted to drugs and served time in prison to a licensed social worker employed by the federal government.

His recovery and journey is a testament to faith.

“One of the things that stuck with me was hurting other people,” he said. “Just seeing them cry and beg and plead for me to change and to stop.”

His wife was one of those people, and there was only one reason she didn’t leave.

“God,” she said. “That’s the only answer I have, because I couldn’t have done it otherwise.”

And God has become the only answer for her husband as well.

“The Bible talks about a new creation and, you know, if you look at the picture on the cover of that book, you’ll see the old man and you’ll see the new,” said Sidney.

He also credited a long list of people who helped him along the journey.

Among them were Lawrence and Lucimarian Roberts. The scholarship named after them enabled Smith to get his degree.

Lawrence and Lucimarian Roberts are the parents of Robin Roberts and Dorothy Roberts. On Sunday, a book signing was held in the Smiths’ honor at Dorothy Roberts’ boutique, Robin’s Nest in Pass Christian.

“It took a lot of people in his life, and my parents were just one small part of that,” said Dorothy. “But it’s really cool to know that that one part helped him.”

And the Smiths want their story to help others to know that faith is a powerful tool.

“I know with arrogance that I am a living miracle,” he said. “I know that and I just want other people to know that God is and that He can.”

The book “Unbelievably Amazing” is available for sale at Robin’s Nest, as well as on Amazon.

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