“This stubborn defect of character, this instinct gone astray, does not seem to leave us as the obsession to drink did.”

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

Creation as Kin

“The Universe is never dead, nor are things simply placed within reach of the possessive human grasp or tossed one alongside another, without connections between them. Everything makes up a grand symphony–and God is the Great conductor. St. Francis walked over rocks with reverence in attention to the One who called himself a rock; All things are alive and personal in a most mystical way. We all live together under the same parental roof.”

Adapted from Francis and the Natural World

A Deep Breath of Life

Alan Cohen

“We must strengthen, defend, preserve, and comfort each other. We must love one another. We must bear one another’s burdens. We must rejoice together, mourn together… - Puritan John Winthrop I once heard that we are most alike in our vulnerability. I pray to be open to the tender moments of life. Let me not miss an opportunity to connect with the heart of a brother or sister. Today, let me embrace that I am one with everyone I meet; to let my heart be touched.”

Adapted from A Deep Breath of Life

Twenty-Four Hours a Day

Meditation for the Day “……God knows all about your weakness. He hears every cry for mercy, every sign of weakness, every plea for help, every sorrow over failure, every weakness felt and expressed. We only fail when we trust too much to our own strength. Do not feel bad about your weakness. When you are weak that is when God is strong to help you. Trust God enough, and your weakness will not matter. God is always strong to save. Prayer for the Day I pray that I may learn to lean on God's strength. I pray that I may know that my weakness is God's opportunity.”

Adapted from Twenty-Four Hours a Day

Reflect — Steve L.'s own words

I received a call from my friend Jordan. He had just left a meeting and said he had to call me, because the topic was Big Shot-ism. Yep, I'm busted!

Rather than be offended, we both laughed at our tendencies to want more attention, more love, more affirmation. This stubborn defect of character, this instinct gone astray, does not seem to leave us as the obsession to drink did. Bill W. explains this in his essay on Step 6.

And it’s not the only one. When things don’t go our way, we’re prone to self-pity, fear, and anger. Rather than sit at a bar drinking and finding common topics to complain about and attack, thanks for a fellowship that offers a solution: commonality through vulnerabilty, acceptance, and the desire to get better! Love is everywhere; thank you for opening my heart to Your Love.