I have to thank my many sponsors for the time they made available in their own lives to help a sick alcoholic like me. My sponsor Ronnie used to give at least 2 to 5 hours of time daily. My sponsor Richie from India, with his limited time will spend nearly all of it with me. My last session with him in 1996, was 14 days of at least 6 hours each. Today we are in the habit of being the last ones to leave the meeting. Newcomers have my time available with no limit. Most of my sponsorship time spent was to reinforce step3, decision.
People helping others with the help of God is the whole 'life-blood' of the AA program ... it's what keeps us sober and prepares us for the 'here-after' ...
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'Those who leave everything in God's hand will eventually see God's hand in everything.'
My first sponsor gave me his time as if he had plenty of it to spare, even though he was a very busy man. He never rushed me through our conversations, and he never cancelled an appointment. Not ever....no matter what. When I acquired my first sponsoree, I took his lead. Mike D.
When I grow up I won't to be just like my Sponsor. He is retired now, but when I was new he was a farmer. Work a farm on his own most of the time. He still picked his phone up most of the time I called. If not, he called within a short time. I was one of many he sponsored. I don't know how he did it, but he taught me a valueable lesson. Selfish/Self-centered that we think is the root of our problem. Driven by a hundred forms of fear. You have to give it away in order to keep it. You help yourself by helping others. It's by giving that we receive. It's Gods transmission line from one alcoholic to another and then back. I'm still not quite as good at it as he was, but the seed was planted. I'm progressing in the right direction.
