By: Denise B.

Denise B. — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 14:16:00 +0000

Yea so true, before AA, I had been forced into church many times. When I came to the rooms, I thought I knew everything, mainly that God was for weaklings with a fear of having fun. Little did I know what I was missing-Love! I had been running from it, but God waited patiently for me with open arms. I am truely a greatful alcoholic today…

By: Lyby G sober since 11/19/1983

Lyby G sober since 11/19/1983 — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 14:15:01 +0000

When I first got sober, my Higher Power was Alcoholics Anonymous — I studied the books, read the history, went to lots of conferences — which gave me the courage to keep the plug in the jug one day at a time. About 5 years sober I went through a “too busy” phase and didn’t go to meetings; through the pain I realized I needed the fellowship of AA as much as I needed the literature. By the time I was fifteen years sober, I had substituted the Individuals in AA for a Higher Power because it was easier to just ask somebody what to do than to genuinely develop a relationship with a God I didn’t understand. It wasn’t until the break up of an AA romance at 18 years sober caused me to “lose” my sponsor, my home group, several pigeons, and my best friend. In a small town with only 3 meetings per week within 30 miles, it was quite an alienating shock. I am grateful today for the spiritual bottom that forced me to find a Higher Power “without any skin on it”. I am grateful that AA is all over the place, some groups/individuals actually practice the principles and traditions, and today I have a loving and disciplined relationship with a Higher Power that I still don’t understand but no longer have to fight.
In the last few years I have been priviledged to watch and encourage other “old timers” as they go through this part of the process. I don’t “want” for anything anymore.

Comments on: WHEN FAITH IS MISSING

By: Denise B.

By: Lyby G sober since 11/19/1983