Report For Duty - Suit Up And Show Up
No, sorry, not a military reference (btw - offer a soldier thanks today wouldya’?).
Today’s reflection speaks to page 124 in our basic text;
“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.”
And the “response” reads;
“No longer is my past an autobiography, it is a reference book to be taken down, opened and shared. Today as I report for duty, the most wonderful picture comes through. For, though this day be dark - as some days must be - the stars will shine even brighter later. My witness that they do shine will be called for in the very near future. All my past will this day be a part of me, because it is the key, not the lock.”
As I report for duty? Oh yeah - suit up and show up eh?
My first Fourth Step was attempted without a sponsor. It became an autobiography and didn’t last two pages before I tore it up. I discovered later, with a sponsor, that I had something I didn’t know about that could have been very damaging. I’m thankful I tore it up. Then, later, followed instructions and did it with a sponsor.
I had a resentment towards my mother. That threw me when I was told. Bottom line is it was true because I was pi**ed that she never, in my childish mind, did anything to keep my father at bay, to appease his anger, to get him to stop the beatings. Hell, she even took part in them, unknowingly. She was a perfect example of an Al-Anon without Al-Anon.
And I still love her. She didn’t know. She was affected by this disease and wasn’t in her right mind either.
So, I got a sponsor and worked a fearless and thorough Fourth Step.
Then I sat down with Fr. Tom over a couple of months because his time was at such a premium, and did my Fifth Step. And that SOB just sat there and had the “hinge working” as I read these 27 pages to him waiting for the “Oh My God, you did that???” expression. It never came. He just simply nodded, occasionally saying “yeah, I did that too” and when it was over he told me to go to confession.
Shoot - and I thought I was the worst…
Now I get the opportunity to pass this on to you!!! So, listen up!!!
Tags: 5th-step, admitted to God, alcoholics-anonymous, holding the keyRelated Stories
POSTED IN: The Fifth Step
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