Step by Step
Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024
“My story has a happy ending, but not of the conventional kind. I had a lot more hell to go through. But what a difference there is between going through hell without a power greater than one’s self, and with it! …(M)y teetering tower of worldly success collapsed. My alcoholic associates fired me, took control and ran the enterprise into bankruptcy. My alcoholic wife took up someone else, divorced me and took with her all my remaining property. The most terrible blow of my life befell me after I’d found sobriety through AA. …One night my son, when he was only 16, was suddenly and tragically killed. The Higher Power was on deck to see me through, sober. I think He’s on hand to see my son through, too. I think He’s on hand to see all of us through whatever may come to us.” — Alcoholics Anonymous, 3rd Edition, 1976, “They Stopped in Time,” Ch 16 (“Me an Alcoholic?”), p 437.
Today, foresight to know and be prepared for the day when my recovery program is called upon to keep me sober through the bad. I must accept that bad things are going to happen in my life and that recovery is not a promise that the bad will not happen. But recovery is a promise that I can get through the bad sober if I not only adhere to the 12 Steps but also trust a Higher Power stronger than me. I absolutely must be willing to be open to the idea of a Higher Power, even if that Power is the Program itself. On good days, it’s easy to talk the talk; on bad ones, it’s another to walk the walk. Disappointments and tragedy can be expected to hit me, just as they do the non-alcoholic. Let me begin today to invest in a program strong enough that I can draw upon when the good days aren’t so good. And our common journey continues. Step by step. — Chris M., 2024
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