Deon Matthews
My father was a big-time drug dealer and a pimp in Detroit, Michigan where I was born and raised. My mother was a prostitute. She was his John. That’s how they met.
Dad was not only a drug dealer and a pimp, but he was also a hardcore gangster. He was a hitman, murdering people for a living. He used and sold heroin. He was feared by many. I can still see my father and mother nodding, intoxicated by the drugs. But that’s not all I remember about my father. I also vividly recall the toys and clothes he would purchase and bring for me as a child. Sometimes, he would visit and stay with my grandmother, mom, and me. I even remember him spending time playing with me.
He always wore suits and hats, was a sharp dresser, and drove luxury cars. Due to his dangerous lifestyle, he used to be disguised for his protection. He was a wanted man. Many people planned to execute him. Eventually, he was found in a bar and shot dead by five men gangland style. I was devastated and upset I could not attend his funeral because his new wife didn’t let me know. Prior to his death, he cleaned up his life and remarried.
My mother was beautiful and had a good heart. I remember going with her to the methadone clinic. She turned me over to my grandmother as an infant. I knew my father and mother loved me but couldn’t care for me properly due to their drug addictions and dangerous lifestyles. Sadly, Mom died of a drug overdose in her apartment.
After losing both my parents, I felt alone in this cold and cruel world. But I thank God for my grandmother who raised me. Growing up, when I heard people complaining about their parents and dishonoring them I could not understand why. In my mind, they were blessed to have parents. I lost mine at a young age and had no one I could really go to for advice or help period. So, thank God if you have good parents. You are truly blessed!
I wanted to be just like my dad because I was mesmerized by his lavish lifestyle: money, women, drugs, and luxury cars. I wanted to mimic him. Truth is I didn’t have any positive role models. So, I started selling drugs out of my grandmother’s house after she passed. Sure enough, I ended up living the same lifestyle as my father except I wasn’t a pimp or a drug user. I didn’t want to have the same dreadful ending as my parents. I was selling cocaine and heroin. I was a product of my negative environment. As a drug dealer, I loved the glamorous, fast life of traveling, buying designer clothes, shoes, and being sexually promiscuous.
I was raking in $3000 a day. I even tried emulating my father’s hairstyle. I let my hair grow long. He had nice long wavy hair that came down his back. However, when I met my soon-to-be wife, she wasn’t having it. She said I didn’t have nice wavy hair and it had to go, so I went bald. It shocked my wife, but I was ready to make that change for the better.
My brother was shot and killed eight years ago. When I was thirteen years old, I was accidentally shot at a basement party. Satan was trying to wipe out my entire family and generation—but God! Somebody had to be praying for me. God didn’t let that serpent take me out of here. I know for sure Jesus, my elder brother was sitting at the right hand of the Father making intercession for me. Thank You, Jesus! Jesus has been the father that I never knew. I must testify if it wasn’t for God and my wife, I probably wouldn’t be here today. I would have been dead or in jail. Nobody but Jesus has kept me and brought me this far. Hallelujah!
I made foolish decisions trying to live this lifestyle, but I got tired of having to watch my back and carrying guns for safety. I knew I had to leave the lifestyle of crime.
My best friend’s sister, Francine, took me to visit her church, Greater Grace Temple. I knew God was tugging on my heart from the message Bishop David Ellis preached that day. This is where the seed was first planted. After leaving this service, I knew it was time to leave this lifestyle of sin, which was displeasing to a holy God.
“I have planted, Apollo watered, but God gave the increase” (1 Corinthians 3:6).
Then I met my beautiful wife, Devine (a woman truly after God’s heart) through this same person who took me to church. God used her to draw me closer to Him and I’ve endeavored to serve Him wholeheartedly.
The drug dealing, thug lifestyle is dangerous. And there is a price to be paid because you will reap what you sow. Our negative actions have consequences, sometimes even death. The devil was trying to kill me, but God had other plans for my life. The devil is a liar! I thank God for Jesus and my wife. Although, there are times when I wonder how different my life would have been if my parents were in my life, but God knows best. I must trust God. I don’t know why this was my lot in life. However, my thoughts are not His thoughts or my ways His ways.
“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways,” declares the LORD. ‘For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so My ways are higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thought’” (Isaiah 55:8).
I repented and turned from my wicked ways and I’m so happy I did. I urge you to do the same. If God can turn my life around and save me, He can save anybody! Invite Jesus Christ into your life while there is still time. Tomorrow is not promised.
If you would like to read more about how I met my wife, you can purchase her book at – https://differentspiritmedia.com/books/
