January 28 reflection

JANUARY 28 

THE TREASURE OF THE PAST 

Showing others who suffer how we were given help is the very thing which makes life seem so worth while to us now. Cling to the thought that, in God's hands, the dark past is the greatest possession you have—the key to life and happiness for others. With it you can avert death and 

misery for them. 

ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS, p. 124 

What a gift it is for me to realize that all those seemingly useless years were not wasted. The most degrading and humiliating experiences turn out to be the most powerful tools in helping others to recover. In knowing the depths of shame and despair, I can reach out with a loving and compassionate hand, and know that the grace of God is available to me.

Me: my appreciation is very well articulated by the writer. Program gives us purpose. To help others in the way that so many helped me. But further, what I find wonderful; I'm one in a chorus to help others. I'm not the complete answer to help the sick and suffering. It took a crowd of sober people to help me. The list is exhausted. And even now to keep me sober. God uses a crowd of sober people. These human presents are one of the biggest manifestations of the Rockstar's love for me. 

I in turn, am not the complete answer for another. This is great on multiple levels. It keeps my ego at bay. I'm a work in progress, not a perfect example of a sober person. And third it gives me the variety that makes sober life fun. To some I'm just the welcoming member with a joke. To some, I'm a running buddy, to others a wise sober woman who shares her experience strength and hope. I help keep the doors open, am a cool coffee companion, a sponsor who needs guidance, and a sponsor to give it. My prayer today. Thank you Rockstar. Please let me be of use to you.