A young woman desparately desired to be able to play piano. She went to an instructor and asked him for lessons. After a few lessons, the woman expressed frustration that she couldn't play anything. The instructor told her that fine playing took time and hard work. No one simply sat down and began playing without long hours of practice and concentration. The young woman grew angry at her teacher and stormed out of her lesson. She went to other instructors, always with the same result. Her lack of patience and her inability to follow the instructions she was given blocked her ever learning how to play. Finally she gave up, feeling that she never recieved tha kind of training she was looking for; never admitting that she had been at fault in the least. So often we are our own worst enemy. We look to others for help, then when it is offered, we refuse to accept it. This is true of our prayers. Too often we come before God asking His help, but when He doesn't respond to us the way we think He should, then we reject Him. It is through trusting the divine wisdom of God that we come to know wisdom for ourselves. God can only do for us what we will let Him. He never forces us to do what we should. Prayer: Please help me to open my heart and soul to your will. Forgive me when I turn from your insight, and knowledge. Give me the patience I need to wait on You in all situations. Amen.
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You only live once; but if you work it right, once is enough. There is nothing better than the encouragement of a good friend.
"Forgive me when I turn from your insight, and knowledge." I love this post. I often wonder why it is so easy for me to turn my back on God, when I am convinced that my reliance on God is so very necesary.
Thanks for a great post and I got a lot of identification with it. I know that I am my own worst enemy at times, and I am trying to change that. But, I still get days when I want something and I want it to fit exactly with my own thinking. I am working on it, though.
“God can only do for us what we will let Him.” I loved that and needed to read that this evening. Thank you.
Take care,
Carol
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Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind. ~Dr. Seuss
"So often we are our own worst enemy." How many years and how much precious time have I spent being that to myself?!! Now, in sobriety, I practice being my own best friend. Thank you Jeannie...Tim
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"We posess the eyes through which the universe gazes with wonder upon its own majesty."
Hi Jeanie-- thank you for the post! I'm really feeling it being so new too AA and this ability to resist the temptation to drink alcohol. My strength is from a source outside of and yet a part of me. Wow! But this story you shared can be applied to many aspects of my life. I can think of this when I get frustrated with my speed reading program and classes and . . . gee, so, much. Oh! It just reminded me of a favorite Mohandas Gandhi quote. I'm going to post that in another thread. Thanks!!!! Laura
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