“And Cain said unto the LORD, my punishment is greater than I can bear.” —Genesis 4:13

(used by permission)

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A story circulates about a handsome young man, age nineteen, named Ricky Jones. Ricky secured a decent job working at a large supermarket in Atlanta, Georgia. He is saving his money for college, and he is scheduled to start school in the coming fall semester.

Ricky’s bright smile and eagerness to help others wins him many friends. He feels blessed and enjoys life to its fullest. Still living at home with his mom and dad, he especially likes helping his dad in his backyard garden. His mom and dad are so glad to have Ricky still at home with them; he blesses their lives in so many ways. Ricky and family are always faithful to Sunday and Wednesday church services. He is a dedicated and dependable church bus worker.

Unexpectedly, Ricky’s Uncle Bob passes away and leaves him a sizable inheritance, almost $100,000. It seems Ricky has it made now; university funds are no problem. Suddenly, he has friends flocking around him. He meets a new girl, who is quiet pretty, but she runs with a rough crowd. Ricky falls head over heels in love with her.

His mom and dad recognize something amiss with his new girlfriend, and they warn Ricky to be careful with his new friends. Ricky starts enjoying the party scene and staying out late. His dad tells him that he cannot stay with them if he continues to use alcohol and return home at all hours. Ricky starts staying with some friends, a bad crowd, and they are rebels to the core.

Soon terminated from his job, he stops going to church. He starts smoking pot and drinking regularly. The party life is fun. Ricky buys a new sports car and fancy clothes. He attends a party and is offered a hit on a crack pipe. The rush he feels is so powerful that addiction grabs him immediately. Ricky got what he wanted, a nice car, new clothes, lots of friends, but he gets something he did not want…DRUG AND ALCOHOL ADDICTION.

Late one night, Ricky’s parents awake with a sound of knocking on the door. When they open the door, a police chaplain stands there with his hat in his hands. He says, “Mr. and Mrs. Jones, I have the awful duty of informing you of the death of your son. We found his car on a dirt road outside of town, still running. The stereo was blaring, rattling the windows. A crack pipe and other drug items discovered in the car verify the cause of death as an overdose. I’m sorry Mr. and Mrs. Jones.”

Mrs. Jones breaks down in tears and cries, “Ricky, we tried to warn you. Son, we tried to warn you, but you would not listen!” Yes, Ricky got what he wanted, but he did not want what he got!