Walking into the Valley Alano Club yesterday for the Noon mtg, Lionel was the speaker. I’d known him from long ago at Crossroads, and he shared his story of his long & winding road to what’s now solid sobriety. He shared that one time when he called his sponsor, he was told, “Lionel, I think its time you change your diaper!” Not everyone laughed, but I sure did, and it made a point to pass on!
Thinking back when first approaching the 4th Step, I was stuck, not knowing what to write down. I called my sponsor to tell him and he suggested I get quiet & say the 3rd Step Prayer. I did, and the next day, woke up and started writing!
My hand would not stop; all of my memories and emotions of resentment, fear and sex came out on paper.
We met up later in the week for me to share it; when we hugged, he said let me see it, and grabbed the legal pad from my hand. I was not going to tell him everything, but he now had it all! That was a huge breakthrough; I laughed & cried as we went through it. He shared some of his journey that really helped me not feel so bad. I drove away with a new hope and freedom.
Deep down inside, beneath all of the feelings and actions, was a loving Spirit!
In sobriety, it’s easy to get stuck in the quicksands of fear, doubt, self-pity, grandiosity, pride & ego that can plague us; if long enough, maybe to go back and drink. Today, I can stop, call someone and share. Chuck C. called it A New Pair of Glasses; sometimes, I just need to change my diaper. No one else is going to do it for me!
Then, I can move forward in New Freedom, and to be of service to God and others without stinking up the place.
Thanks for a design for living I can grow, enjoy, and many times, even laugh at!
