So I headed off bright and early Sunday on my trip. After many many years of driving mini vans I have switched to a sporty little Z24 Cavilier. Better on gas was the mind set. I pass the last gas station for the next 80 K (50 Miles) and glance at the gauge, just under 1/4, no problem. My vans would get at least 100K after hitting the same location (the size of the tank apparently never crossed my mind) 30 K or so from the station I begin to get a tad concerned as I am hitting the E at about 20 K from the station I start to pray. Now I did my share of praying when I was drinking.
God Pleaseeeee let the beer store still be open
God let there be just 1 more beer in that case
Oh God don't let that officer pull me over
You get the drift, anyway when I got serious about this program I said to myself "no more praying for selfish reasons"
So I send a quick prayer up (followed by a few more frantic reminders) and say "Lord if this is gonna happen please keep me safe"
So 5 K from the station I glide to a stop. I sit there for a few minutes debating my only option. Get out and go get gas. I lock up the car and start to walk. Within minutes a car stops, I look and since a woman is in the car along with the 2 men decide this is safe. I get in and comment I didn't want to hitchhike but since they were kind enough to stop I thought it was safe. The woman chuckled and said well since my husband is a retired police officer I think you are right.
The return walk to the car also brought a good samaritan to my aid.
On my way once again I sent a prayer of gratitude up. I did wonder though.........maybe I should have just prayed for enough gas to get to the station lol
Great story....but Jezzz Donna, maybe you should be praying to move somewhere where the gas stations aren't 50 miles apart (just kidding).
Personally, I just say the 3d step, and serenity prayer. I take the 11th step literally and try to just pray for a knowledge of God's will and the power to carry it out.
I don't have to ask, he will be there for me like he was for you today.
Hope you enjoy the trip and Holidays!!
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Rob
"There ain't no Coupe DeVille hiding in the bottom of a Cracker Jack Box."
I do that (procrastinate about filling up), then stress about making it and wonder what time or money did I think that I was really going to save. I came to a conclusion about similar self induced stress situations concerning procrastination. It appeared that I was creating drama out of routine tasks, perhaps to break up the boredom. Hoping to pull some kind of last minute hero move, or pity out of it or something. There's some pretty screwy psychology behind our dysfunctional behavior, and we can get to the bottom of if we are self analytical. Lately I've been urging myself to take the "safe bet" sure move choice and giving myself the "that-a-boy" for making the right choice. Spending the small sums of money to get things done, instead of obsessively searching for some miniscule savings ala~ "life is short, just write the check" lol. Sounds goofy but most of this, talking yourself into making the right choices, is.
Im in the same club, my car insurance was due on the 19th, and now its the 24th. four day week end for them. So I won't get it payed till tue the 26th. I have a grace period but don't know how many days it actually is. The point is, I have a pocket full of money and some in the bank, drove by the insurance office three or four times and still didnt stop to take care of it. Dean is right about the self imposed stress. But for me, maybe its just because im plain old lazy, or have a deep fear of letting go of the cash, or maybe something I don't even see. Either way, what a waist of time and energy, and now probably have a late fee. I can see God scratching his head, saying when you gonna learn kid....
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Since it cost a lot to win, and even more to loose, you and me gotta spend some time just wondering what to choose.
Good to know other sober folks do the same things as me. ;)
I was talking with my sponsor two days ago about literally this trait of mine: procrastinate the small stuff, so that it turns into big stuff and wreaks havoc in my life. I've done my step 5 and lots of step 10s on it. My sponsor and I were talking about what Bill says about this in the 12X12 and which he touches in the Big Book. It's just what Dean was saying: I don't want that character defect removed: somehow, I still cling on to it, with a weird kind of fondness. Maybe I get addicted to the andrenaline of all of the craziness that inevitably ensues.
I need to pray for the willingness to have that defect removed (along with all of them others ;) ).
