We asked his protection and care with complete abandon. Alcoholics Anonymous Page 59
I could not manage my life alone. I had tried that road and failed. My “ultimate sin” dragged me down to the lowest level I have ever reached and, unable even to function, I accepted the fact that I desperately needed help. I stopped fighting and surrendered entirely to God.
Only then did I start growing! God forgave me. A Higher Power had to have saved me, because the doctors doubted that I would survive. I have forgiven myself now and I enjoy a freedom I have never before experienced. I’ve opened my heart and mind to Him. The more I learn, the less I know – a humbling fact – but I sincerely want to keep growing. I enjoy serenity, but only when I entrust my life totally to God. As long as I am honest with myself and ask for His help, I can maintain this rewarding existence.
Just for today, I strive to live His will for me – soberly.
I thank God that today I can choose not to drink.
Today, life is beautiful!
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This is a really great passage. It really hit home with how I was feeling today. We are not given power over alcohol, but every alcoholic has the choice to take that first drink or react to their own throughts. I hope every alcoholic reads this today. This is my favorite daily meditation book. It has helped me maintain my spiritual connection with my higher power.
I’M SORRY BUT NOWHERE IN THE BIG BOOK DOES IT SAY THAT WE ARE GIVEN THE CHOICE OVER ALCOHOL. THE ONLY THING I HAVE IS A DAILY REPRIEVE CONTINGENT ON THE MAINTENANCE OF MY SPIRITUAL CONDITION.
No need to be sorry, Shane. You’re right that it doesn’t say anything about having a choice about picking up. But neither does it say that we have a choice about what meetings we go to, who we take as a sponsor, or if we read the Daily Reflections iPhone app or not. There are a lot of things sobriety allows us to do, and many of them are not listed in the Big Book. The daily reprieve IS what makes all this possible, though. The Big Book is not dogma. It’s a miraculous tome that many of us alcoholics have found to guide us in the only way we’ve ever found to stay sober.