We wonder
why you are visiting this web page. Is it for you to see how insane
we are, or to check your own condition?
For this
topic, let us start at the beginning, regardless of how distasteful or
painful it is. The second step states, "Came to believe that a
power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity."
Let us
take a peek at a definition of sanity:
1. The quality or condition of being sane; soundness of mind.
2. Soundness of judgment or reason.
Since we
have heard some say that since they have never experienced sanity, how can
they possibly be restored to same? So, guess that we need a starting
point, that will give all some parameters, about the path of what
anonymous recovery
is. The following has roots grounded in soundness of mind.
Ephesians 4:14
Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming.
James 1:6
But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.
The
question then begs itself, how committed are we to what we believe?
Do we still doubt, or are we still afraid to ask God about any topic what
so ever? Even very personal and private issues? Do we really
believe that we will be answered? Or do we think that God is too
busy for such rubbish as our personal insecurities, inferiorities, or even
our sexuality issues?
Remember,
years ago, a national religious leader saying, "Don't ask me, ask
God." There is a great deal of humility in that
statement. Only God can possibly know what the truth on any subject
is, pertaining to any individual. We don't even know how to give a
present to our loved ones. Even they have an agenda - the presents,
that generally has selfish motives, for most of us human beings.
So, left
to our own devices, we continue into an oblivion, leaving God in the dust,
acting on our foolish self will, unless we get engaged into a spiritual
experience, along with the vital spiritual awakening, that leads us into
the very privileged access to the Throne Room information, where answers will flow,
that are tied into God's total plan, for all of us.
The point
is that we desire to be out of all of the winds that are hurricane or
tornado force, and waves that have tsunami intentions. We need more serenity and peace of mind, in our
lives, so we know that we need to turn all things over to the Father of
Light, that
provides and looks after all of us, without favor or bias. And only
he is not prejudiced, but is fair and just.
But let
us get back to the reason for this web page.
At eight years into
abstinence, never will forget being at a speaker meeting and the speaker
said, "Recovery is an inside job." My though was,
instantly, "What kind of money can we make doing that job?"
Two years
later, the speaker said, from the podium, "May every word out of my
mouth, and every meditation in my heart, be acceptable to my
Lord." Never will forget my thought on that one either, which
was, "This is going to be a longer journey than I first
thought."
Again,
about two years later - twelve years into abstinence, having had such
wonderful spiritual experiences, it was truly believed that God really was going to
restore me to sanity, without doubt.
Wow, two
years later, I finally realized that I had missed the second step
completely, for over fourteen years. Guess you need to hold on to
your seat too. At over fourteen years into abstinence, I still
thought that it was an I program, rather than a WE program. Finally
God brought some sanity into my life, when the following truth was
revealed, which can be viewed on page 154, in the chapter "A Vision
for You:"
Bitterly discouraged, he found himself
in a strange place, discredited and almost broke. Still physically weak,
and sober but a few months, he saw that his predicament was dangerous.
He wanted so much to talk with someone, but whom?
One dismal afternoon he paced a
hotel lobby wondering how his bill was to be paid. At the end of the
room stood a glass covered directory of local churches. Down the lobby a
door opened into an attractive bar. He could see the gay crowd inside.
In there he would find companionship and release. Unless he took some
drinks, he might not have the courage to scrape an acquaintance and
would have a lonely weekend.
Of course he couldn't drink, but
why not sit hopefully at a table, a bottle of ginger ale before him?
After all, had he not been sober six months now? Perhaps he could
handle, say, three drinks -- no more! Fear gripped him. He was on thin
ice. Again it was the old, insidious insanity -- that first drink. With
a shiver, he turned away and walked down the lobby to the church
directory. Music and gay chatter still floated to him from the bar.
But what about his responsibilities
his family and the men who would die because they would not know how
to get well, ah -- yes, those other alcoholics? There must be many such
in this town. He would phone a clergyman. His sanity returned and he
thanked God.
Within a
day or so, Bill W. was introduced to Dr. Bob, and their friendship began,
as did the to be first anonymous fellowship.
So, how much
sanity do you think that any of us has? We are not granted sanity
for our families, for our businesses, for our relationships, for our
marriages, for worldly bs, nor any subject that is outside of the
parameters of the Kingdom of God. Sure do hope that you stay on
board with us "sometimes slowly" suckers.
