A Tribute to Jimmy Mullins

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Just because someone says they aren’t an alcoholic doesn’t always mean it’s true. I knew I was one a long time ago.

I was married for 37 years. I lost all my material possessions—and my fishing buddy. She left me and erased me from her life. I spent the next three years drinking even more, blaming myself for everything. I moved about eight times in less than a year and a half. No matter what I did, everything seemed to turn out bad. I felt more alone than ever.

I spent time in county jail. While there, I decided to fix some things in my life, especially my relationship with my daughters. I did well for about a year, but I was in an environment where it was hard to stay sober. Everyone around me drank, smoked, or took pills. I gave in, and within two months, I was back at the bottom—this time, homeless.

Thank God for my daughter, Brook. That’s when we found Victory in Jesus Recovery Center.

On January 13, 2013, at the age of 68, I arrived at VIJ. At the time, all I wanted was a warm place to stay. But looking back, I realize I was hungry for something more—I was desperate to turn my life around.

On April 7, 2013, in the little chapel at VIJ, I gave my life to Jesus Christ.

I have never been one to change overnight, but in the months that followed, I laid down all the burdens I had carried for years. The pain, the regret—I finally let them go.

And Jesus took them from me.

Every time I prayed, I thanked God for His grace and mercy and asked Him to watch over the people I loved—even the ones who had hurt me. I never prayed for myself. I always ended with:

"God, if there is anything I can do for You, just let me know."

One morning, after praying, I opened my Bible and placed my finger down. The verse was Matthew 25:35:

"For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in."

At that moment, I truly understood the Holy Spirit. Ever since that day, I have kept my head up, my eyes open, and my heart full of love for God. When I show love to others, it is His love shining through me.

Once I surrendered my sins to Jesus and let Christ into my heart, my whole life changed. Now, when I see someone struggling, I remember Matthew 25:35 and ask myself:

"What would Christ do?"

And the answer is always the same: Love. Kindness. Compassion. Helping the least of them.

Sometimes I can’t afford to help, but that hasn’t stopped me yet. When I feel that tug on my heart, I have to act. It’s like a soft wind that stops me in my tracks and brings tears to my eyes.

That’s when I know it’s really good—because I can feel the Holy Spirit moving.

The tears aren’t of pain, but of JOY.

Helping people helps me. I don’t expect anything in return. If you start expecting things, you will be let down and disappointed. If I don’t receive my rewards in this life, I know I will when I see Him face to face.

When I say I am a Christian, I am not saying I am perfect—my flaws are too visible.
I am just saying that God thinks I am worth it.

When I say I am a Christian, I am not saying I am holier than thou.
I am just a sinner who receives God’s grace every day.

When I say I am a Christian, I am not bragging about success.
I am admitting that I have failed and need God to clean up my mess.

When I say I am a Christian, I am not saying I am strong.
I am weak, and I call on God for my strength.

When I say I am a Christian, I am not saying I understand everything in the Bible.
I am just saying that Jesus has saved my life, and because He lives in my heart and soul—
I thirst no more.

Thank You, Jesus, for pulling me out of the hole I had dug for myself and placing my feet on solid ground.

When I first arrived at VIJ, all I wanted was a warm place to stay while I figured out my next move. My wife had divorced me, my kids didn’t want much to do with me, and I was as alone as I had ever been.

But God had a different plan.

At first, it was a slow process. I wanted change to happen overnight. Sometimes, when I prayed, I felt the urge to cry—but I held it back because I thought it was a sign of weakness.

Then one day, I was talking to John, and I realized something:

Those weren’t tears of weakness. That was the Holy Spirit trying to enter my heart.

From that moment on, I embraced it.

It was a hard thing for me to understand—that Jesus could take all my sins and burdens from me. But He did.

And I am forever grateful.

After my time as a resident at VIJ, I became a Resident Assistant (RA) for two years, helping other men who struggled just like I had. I never forgot what God had done for me, and I did my best to pass that same love and grace to others.

My journey started on January 13, 2013—a day that changed everything.

I am a living testament that no one is too far gone for Jesus to save.

To God be the glory.