“Countless miracles appeared in front of us in color.”

Three readings. A song that says the rest. And inspiration for whatever this day is here to teach.

A lone surfer riding inside a great curling wave

Read — the readings that opened the day

God Calling

A. J. Russell

Pass every blessing on. Love can and does go round the world, passing on the God-currents from one to the other. Shed a little sunshine in the heart of one, that one is cheered to pass it on, and so My vitalizing joy-giving message goes. Be transmitters these days. Love and Laugh. Cheer all. Love all. Always seek to understand others and you cannot fail to love them.

Adapted from God Calling

Everyone is Chosen: Called and Sent

Richard Rohr

Not only are we invited to accept, with humility, that we are chosen by God, but also that our being chosen has nothing to do with worthiness! God’s choice has to do with God alone, not with us being worthy or ready. We are merely God’s instruments. When we love God and others, it is God doing through us and in us.

Adapted from Everyone is Chosen: Called and Sent

Twenty-Four Hours a Day

Meditation for the Day Remember that God is a forgiving God! Why carry the burden of past failures? Even though I’ve wrecked my life in the past, I must go on in faith that I am, and will continue to be, made whole and free in Spirit. God has no reproach for anything that He has healed. Prayer for the Day Help me continue to become the person I want to be by changing how I act, how I feel, and how I think. Open my heart to Your freedom and Love! I pray that I may not carry the burden of the past; that I may cast it off and press on in faith.

Reflect — Steve L.'s own words

Reading today’s meditations, thinking back to first entering recovery. I had completely burnt my life to the ground, A prisoner and victim of life, the thoughts, “Why me; how did I let this happen?” and more pressing, “Just how can I change; how can I climb out of this darkness?” were loud, nonstop messages in my head. I didn’t want to drink or use, but felt trapped.

You told me to keep coming back, to call my sponsor when I felt weird, to read the literature and to work the 12 Steps. I was beaten and didn’t have any better idea of what to do. So, I did what you told me. One of my buddies, Joe C., says “It’s not by virtue we got here!” That’s not an understatement.

Meeting up with my brother's friend Judy yesterday at my house, we walked into my garage full of photos and posters commemorating the Leitz Family lives over 100 years. Countless miracles appeared in front of us in color. Birthdays, anniversaries, holidays and travels were proof that, whoever God is, He has not, and is not, punishing me. We laughed and shed some tears about the life my brother had lived in his 73 years on this Earth. We then went upstairs to look through some photo albums; the events and memories came back, bursting through the grief with Love. It’s all gone by in such a flash, especially my 43 years clean and sober. Thank you for continuing to show me how to embrace all of the goodness, and to let go of all of the rest.

On the 6pm Men’s Zoom mtg, Dave from Greer presented Step 7. He shared his journey and adventure over the last few decades. The word “humility” is used over 50 times in the 12 Step and 12 Traditions. All of the men on the meeting shared some humor and their struggles with ego to grasp this simple word. Walter, 91 years old, shared that this was his favorite step; that humility simply meant gratitude. So simple, not easy; especially true for an alcoholic! We read in the book about a simple request & demands. Oftentimes, it's so hard to tell the difference until it’s too late, somehow, left shrouded in resentment.

After the meeting, I continued speaking with Brent from Thailand. A street vendor had stopped by his house selling chicken feet. What?? Yes, some people consider it a delicacy. I told him that I will stick with Chicken Cordon Bleu, or a NY Steak, medium rare, with au poivre sauce. But, please, no wine or cocktails! Still, just a bit entitled.

I thought about being a Rider on the Storm. I know that I still have a long way to go but I am very grateful not to be stuck in the dark, shaking, worrying about the day ahead. Thank you for tools to let go; for a purpose greater than my demands, wishes & self-pity.