I went out for dinner tonight with my 2 children and my wife. These were things we could not do when I was drinking. It was my daughter's 28th birthday. She was just over 5years old when I came into AA. A year before I came into AA. In one of my drunken sprees I would have lost my entire family. I had driven during one of the storms over a swollen river and very nearly got swept away, but for the grace of God. Today I shudder to think how my family felt when I had endangered their lives to such an extent. Time does not heal these wounds, but the steps of recovery do.
The 6th and 7th steps ensured that I do not repeat these things. The 8th and 9th step allowed me to make amends to my family.
Today I can give wise counsel to my kids because I have gained wisdom in AA.
I can also love my wife the way God intended me to.
My family trusts me because they have a Dad who will protect them and guide them wisely. I in turn have to trust my God through the steps of recovery.