Just thinking and praying for God's Wisdom and devine intervention and the answers will come that I am seeking.
Here is what my head is saying to myself The Lord, and you right now. Should we attend this wedding at there home in Arizona or not?
My 27 year old Nephew that lives in Arizona with his longtime girlfriend and there 2 year old little boy are getting married. They are getting married this August and we have been invited to attend. Drinking and smoking will be at this function both of them smoke and drink. We are both Born Again Christians, I am a member of A.A., my husband stopped driking when we met out of respect for me, he has Diabetes 2 as well as high blood pressure, and he has had cancer. Plus my Disabilities with the Chronic Pain from Fibromyalgia, CFIDS, so on.
I know my Nephews liquor consumption because they stayed with my husband and I a year or so ago. My Son told on him after they left San Francisco, when he stayed with him for 1 couple days drinking and playing in the city.
My health was/is affected by liquor, and cigarette smoke. That's what I think sped up my putting down the booze and cigarettes.
My answer is already clear! Thankyou Father!
I can't jeapordize my health for any reason. Spiritual, mental, physical. Nor my husbands health. Praise and GLory to you always Lord GOd! To you be given all Glory and Honor forever and ever <>< Amen
Pam P wrote:My answer is already clear! Thankyou Father!
Talk about great service!
A quote from one of John Larroquette's fantastic AA speaker meetings on CD:
A guy is on the verge of bankruptcy and he doesn't know what to do. He owes the loansharks a bunch and is behind on his house and carpayment. He isn't a super religious guy but he figures, "what have I got to lose?" He gets down on his knees and he says, "Lord I know I've been a drunk and a drug addict, I don't pay my child support and I drive drunk and have run into several cars, leaving the scene of the crime, I don't visit my mom and I kick my dog, but if I ever needed help it's today. The loansharks are coming and I'm down to my last thousand dollars. Whattya say lord? I really need a miracle to pull me out of this mess."
Suddenly, from somewhere above a deep voice states loud and clear, "GO TO VEGAS."
The man is disturbed at what he hears and sticks his fingers in his ears as if to clean them out. Again the voice tells him, "GO TO VEGAS."
The man looks at towards the sky incredulous and again the voice says, "GO TO VEGAS."
With such an irrefutable command from god, the man hops a bus to Vegas and after a long ride through the night steps off on the strip. Looking around he doesn't know where to go, so he shrugs his shoulders and says, "Now what?" The voice again comes booming down from the sky, "GO TO CAESARS."
So the man walks down the strip and into Caesar's Palace, and the voice says, "PLAY BLACKJACK." He walks through the casino and finds a blackjack table and takes a seat. The voice then says,"BET IT ALL."
The man is skeptical but he lays down all his money and the dealer deals him two cards, a jack and a three. The man shrugs his shoulders and the voice says, "TAKE A HIT." The man signals the dealer and gets his card, a four. The dealer has 18 and the man feels defeated, but the voice booms down, "TAKE ANOTHER HIT." The man signals the dealer and gets a one, and he immediately feels better as now it's a push, both hands being equal, but the voice booms down again, "TAKE ANOTHER HIT." The man looks to the sky and cries, "But it's a push!" and the voice replies more sternly, "TAKE ANOTHER HIT!" The man signals the dealer who raises his eyebrows and deals him a card. The man is absolutely jubilant to see it's a two, but before he can even reach for his cash the voice again says, "TAKE ANOTHER HIT!" Defeated, the man sadly waves at the dealer for one more card, and to his surprise the dealer turns up a one, making his hand a perfect twenty-one.
The voice booms down from the sky, "I don't f*#king believe it!"
Pam, you are inspiring to me. I htink you have a good mind and know how to take care of yourself well, and i thnak you for sharing wiht me how it's done.
Last night, I attended a beautiful celebration for my aunt and uncle's 50th Wedding Annniversary. They are good church people, and are not alcoholics. I did not realize until I went there that it was an open bar. It was fascinating to realize that that not one person had more than one alcoholic bevearge the entire night, and many had none at all, out of a party of 20.
I knew I would not even entertain the thought of drinking, and while my nonalcoholic husband who drinks about 2 drinks per year had one, he had gone to the other side of the banquet hall to talk to a cousin of mine for awhile. I just enjoyed my time visiting with elder relatives and cousins who I am blessed to have as part of a loving and supportive family.
I know that this experience is a great deal different than what your situation may be. But I had gotten to a meeting the day before, and will be getting to one again today or tomorrow. The experience showed me that I definitely am NOT a social drinker, and that with God on my side I can conquer anything that is within His Will. I would never knowingly put myself in harm's way, but knowing that if I am spiritually fit, I can enjoy my family's rare occasions where there is alcohol present, without recourse.
That said, I have not had to make a decision lately based on an environment that would be full of folks who were "over-indulging". It is not "OK" to get liquored up at my family occasions, but it ISOK on the other side of the fmaily. I have to pick and choose my functions on that side very carefully. I have too much to lose by being to bold and confident. Missing a wedding will not kill me, but alcohol and my ill-thinking surely can.
Thanks again for a heartfelt post, and God bless you today!!
Joni
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~~"It's hard to be hateful when you're grateful."~~
One thing I always try to remember if I do decide to attend a function and then find out it's not a good place for me to be......it's ok to leave at any time.
That sounds like a great idea! Show your love and support than plan to go out and explore the surroundings. Hit and good restaurant and let them party....
Or send a big gift with condolences... Most importantly, correct me if Im wrong, dont use alcoholism as an excuse not to go if the reasons are a little deeper.......
Sorry, after rereading your post I got a little nudge telling me theres more to it......
Best of luck either way!
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"We tend to forget that happiness doesn't come as a result of getting something we don't have, but rather of recognizing and appreciating what we do have. "
Thanks to all of you for your feedback. I have e-mailed them and asked if they are already married. If this is the reception for there friends, some of the family in Arizona, California, and London. I'll keep you posted as I am. Thanks for your Love, Pam P.
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