This is the how and why of it. First of all, we had to quit playing God. It didn't work. Next, we decided that hereafter in this drama of life, God was going to be our Director. He is the Principal; we are His agents. He is the Father, and we are His children. Most good ideas are simple, and this concept was the keystone of the new and triumphant arch through which we passed to freedom.
bb pg 62
-- Edited by Stepchild on Thursday 26th of July 2012 03:48:29 PM
Yesterday I was at a noontime Open Discussion meeting and the Group Conscience said "The purpose of this meeting is to carry the message of the Big Book of alcoholics Anonymous".
The chairperson told us what AA has done for him...he's got some peace of mind today and he did the steps through an AWOL. I was grateful for his service to AA for that hour. The topic he picked was acceptance. Immediately my mind went to page 417, BB.
When it came around to my turn to speak I shared how I use page 417, getting on my knees and looking for God's perfection and how I fit into that etc...I said I found God through the program of recovery as laid out in AA in the BB...I needed to do the first 103 pages first to find God then in enlarging my spiritual life I study page 417 today.
Well I was lambasted...this is not an uncommon thing when you speak of the Big Book and it's sort of comical...two oldtimers who run the meeting said not only are we allowed to do the steps any way we want but we don't have to even do them at all...I suppose they're right. One of them said remember no one's better than anyone else here...and of course he's right...I love guys like that. Others said they "keep things simple", in other words "Don't talk about the steps cuz i don't want to do them and i don't want to hear the truth"...I love people like that...I understand them...I get it.
All I know is my job is to be honest about the spiritual experience and how I found God and I am to talk about the program of recovery and glorify God and what he's done for me and still others through me...
Basically I'm Big Book Steps gal...I can't imagine going outside AA to do the steps using some for-profit or non-profit organization's directions or using handouts or workbooks that someone in Nebraska made up when there's already a set of directions right here in AA...right under my nose...if I can just be willing...
I find it's rare that folks outside of Step Study meetings want to do the work in the Big Book but I go to those meetings anyway...I go because it's part of the role He has assigned me...I was the woman sitting in AA meetings dying of untreated alcoholism sober...looking for something to grasp onto...wanting some action i could take about my situation...and no one was talking about where the program of recovery was.
I'm always inclusive of everyone and I'm a member of AA as a whole first and foremost...but I am also through God's grace finding the courage to be myself. I learned through the 12 steps as laid out in the Big Book that not everyone can like me so I might as well be myself.
So today I go to another OD meeting at noon then fill my well tongiht with a Big Book Steps meeting...that's where I've found my solution...God sent me there so I could heal and do His work...I remain willing...I don't give up and it's good, really good.
I was beaten so bad by alcohol I thought death was the only way out for me. I wasn't far from it. I had no idea what AA was and was given a the Big Book in rehab....Three things resonated with me in that book.
Thanks for your story above ... makes me wonder how the old timers you refer to actually got to become old timers ... LOL
While reading this, I couldn't help but think or be reminded of the passage in the Good Book that tells us to be prepared for ridicule and being lashed out at ... cause to stand up for God's will isn't going to be popular at all ... that we should expect to be put down, laughed at, ridiculed, and roasted over the coals, so-to-speak, as we speak of God's glory ...
I really used to take offense at that ... (just ask Dean) ... But not so much anymore, cause I'm told by the Good Book, as Dr. Bob called the Bible, that this is to be part of my lot in life if I'm to profess God's grace and glory to others ... ... ... hard pill for someone like me to swallow, but there it is ...
God Bless you and grant you strength to endure, Pappy
__________________
'Those who leave everything in God's hand will eventually see God's hand in everything.'
Thanks Stepchild and Pappy...Yes, over the last year I have begun to look into the principles in the Bible because they validate that the way I am trying to live is right...they help me not give up on the spiritual program...I can do all the action but it's got to be done from my heart for God...my ego loves prestige but I've never really been accepted by the popular crowd which I consider perfect today...we are funny people! We know it is hard work indeed...and oh, so very rewarding...to do what I feel my Father wants me to do...
Step 12 says that we're on the firing line of life but if we stay close to God He will keep us unharmed. The suit of armor is inside of me, not on the outside. Strength and courage from our Father...
Like the book says, "faith without works is dead".
While I understand that new people sometimes need to share and get things off their chest, but if you've worked the steps we need to share about the solution. That's our duty in AA. Kepp setting the example and maybe others will fall in place.
Everyone understands the disease.
__________________
Rob
"There ain't no Coupe DeVille hiding in the bottom of a Cracker Jack Box."
Great stuff everybody. We have people in our area similar to your own. I try to remember this one tidbit before I condemn anyone: it's A.A. you know and not a museum of perfect people. That's how I address some of the old timers in my area. Maybe if they did the steps they wouldn't be such a crouch. But, then again who knows. I just happy you found a solution that works, so keep working it and live.
And also to respect that everyone has different capabilities and willingness too. Some want outside things, some want an inside job. Enjoy your weekend everyone.
