Daily Reprieve - Nov

[janbear]

CLOSE TO GOD



“We found the Great Reality deep down within us.” Alcoholics Anonymous, page 55



“I desire to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart." Psalm 40:8



For what it’s worth: Misery was all around me. Alcohol momentarily dissolved my despair, but when the drink lost its magic, I was forced to seek help in Alcoholics Anonymous. Had I known recovery was all about developing a conscious contact with God, I would have run from it. I had no idea I was already drawing close to God simply by being sober in Alcoholics Anonymous. It has been that simple. Each sober day, doing the next right thing, brings me nearer to God. As I grow close, I want to be closer. The joy is deep within me, everything I searched for but never found in my past, and, when self-will does not block it, actually causes me to want to do God’s will.



God bless you.



Joe W.


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[janbear]

A DOOR TO LIFE



“Life will mean something at last.” Alcoholics Anonymous, page 152



“There's nothing better than being wise, knowing how to interpret the meaning of life.” Ecclesiastes 8:1



For what it’s worth: Life had no meaning. It was full of disease, dread, and despair. Although I thought I was wise, there was no wisdom or anything positive. Alcohol relieved the pain of my miserable existence for awhile, and then created more. At my first Alcoholics Anonymous meeting a ray of hope penetrated my dark soul when I noticed the people there were sober and knew the meaning of life was about the absence of alcohol. They became living examples for me about how to live a sober life. And as they told me, not taking that first drink one day at a time no matter what was the key to the door that was never there before. Opening that door reviled possibilities that were never there before, and I stepped through to a new existence absent of alcohol. I was on my way to a life full of meaning, excitement, and hope



God bless you.



Joe W.

[janbear]

FINDING A DIRECTOR



“Established on such a footing we became less and less interested in ourselves, our little plans and designs.” Alcoholics Anonymous, page 63



“We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps.” Proverbs 16:9



For what it’s worth: Alcoholism directed my life to a dead end. I had to decide to seek help or continue wandering around without direction, lost and drunk, to the horrible end…that would not come soon enough. Thank God, I choose Alcoholics Anonymous. Or was I directed there? I know I found a new Director in Alcoholics Anonymous, and I learned He was protecting me even in my diseased days. His care and guidance has continued to keep me sober, so I turn my life over to His lead each new day. Some days I try to lead and end up lost in a maze of misdirection. When I follow my Director, He shows me all through the day what my next step is to be, and I can focus on how I can help him reach others who are lost and drunk, without direction, as was I.



God bless you.



Joe W.

[janbear]

“WE ARE NOT SAINTS”



“Do not be discouraged.” Alcoholics Anonymous, page 60



“Don't get discouraged and give up, for we will reap a harvest of blessing at the appropriate time.” Galatians 6:9



For what it’s worth: My active alcoholism destroyed all of my dreams and left me in despair. I came to Alcoholics Anonymous totally discouraged. When “do not be discouraged” was read from our Big Book at meetings, I wondered: How? When someone read “no one among us has been able to maintain anything like perfect adherence to these principles”, I felt both relief and hope. Those words continue to encourage me as I “trudge the Road of Happy Destiny”. Some days the trudging is tougher than others. It’s on those days that the reward of a “harvest of blessing” calls me onward. My motive may not be pure, but it works, and “we are not saints.”



God bless you.



Joe W.

[janbear]

SURRENDER TO A HIGHER POWER



“We should be...humble without being servile or scraping.” Alcoholics Anonymous, page 83



“He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way.” Psalm 25:9



For what it’s worth: Alcohol nearly killed me. Pride blocked me from seeking help until I was frightened enough to brake out of my miserable, self-made prison. Had it not been for fear, I would have rotted there, probably bragging about my competence and independence. When I finally found Alcoholics Anonymous, I could not hang onto any old ideas about my own aptitude. If I were to survive, a humble surrender was my only option. It was difficult, but as I did so, I learned the more I surrendered, the more freedom I achieved; the more dependent I became, the more peace I felt. So, today, I surrender to my dependence on a Higher Power, offering my self and my will to God each new day. The day is best when I leave me in God’s hands.



God bless you.



Joe W.

[janbear]

THE GOOD LIFE



“A new life has been given us or, if you prefer, a design for living that really works.” Alcoholics Anonymous, page 28



“How happy you will be! How rich your life!” Psalm 128:1-2


For what it’s worth: Alcoholism destroyed all my dreams of a good life. When I walked into my first meeting of Alcoholics Anonymous, I sought only relief from the agony of my miserable, alcoholic existence. After attending hundreds of Alcoholics Anonymous meetings, stubbornly refusing to drink, and listening to people share about God’s grace and goodness, I came to believe I could be happy like them… something I thought forbidden to me. And, ever so slowly, as I stayed sober and climbed the Twelve Steps, God demonstrated that He was, indeed, enriching my life. Now I can simply open my eyes and heart and see and feel the good life all around me. I can never thank God enough for all He has generously given to this once worthless, ungrateful drunk.



God bless you.



Joe W.

[janbear]

THE LIGHT



“How dark it is before the dawn!” Alcoholics Anonymous, page 8



“I am the light of the world.” John 8:12



For what it’s worth: There were no dawns in the final years of my drinking. All was dark. I was in deep despair when I first entered the doors of Alcoholics Anonymous. I felt the hope there, and I was blessed to admit my alcoholism and stop drinking, but I did not see the Light that was guiding me until much later. The absence of the anesthetic, alcohol allowed me to finally feel the agony of my empty soul, and I was forced to action for relief. I talked with my sponsor and shared at meetings about my problem. It was suggested I start living Step Two and Three. Sure enough, coming to believe and deciding to turn my life over to the care of God started me on an amazing spiritual journey into the Light.



God bless you.



Joe W.

[janbear]

WHO AM I TO JUDGE?



“We do talk about each other a great deal, but we almost invariably temper such talk by a spirit of love and tolerance.” Alcoholics Anonymous, page 125



“I urge you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them.” Romans 16:17



For what it’s worth: Who am I to judge anyone? Everything in me was broken by the time I came to Alcoholics Anonymous. I was accepted for the mess I was. I was presented principles to practice for healing. I was taught how to develop supportive relationships, placing principles before personalities, following our code of love and tolerance, and applying the Prayer of St. Francis. Most importantly, Alcoholics Anonymous led me to a God of my understanding, a Heavenly Father who loves me unconditionally. Today, I ask my Heavenly Father to help me not judge anyone, not talk about anyone unless my message is positive, and keep away from those “who cause divisions and put obstacles” in my path. And I beg my Heavenly Father to protect me from ever doing or saying anything that would harm Alcoholics Anonymous or any member. I have already hurt too many of His children in my past.



God bless you.



Joe W.