Had a good step meeting last night. Talked about Step 3. I'll be the first to admit that when I started this journey on the 22nd of June, I did not want to give anyone ANYTHING let alone God. Along the way I have realized that if I don't completely give myself up to God, COMPLETELY surrender, this won't work! It has gotten routine. Every morning and every night if I don't set aside time for prayer and meditation, speaking and spending time with God, it throws the whole day off. Once I realized that I NEEDED to turn my will, my life, my everything over to God, life has gotten a whole lot better.
Have there been struggles? Sure. And I am sure that there will be more in the coming weeks, months, and maybe years. Sobriety has turned into a 'preferred' way of life for me. My family has noticed, my children have noticed, and even my wife has noticed (still working on her though.....;)). Without prayer and meditation, I would not have what I have today. I'm not talking about 'things', I am talking about my life, my happiness, and the new way of living I have discovered.
Just thought I would share that with you this morning. God Bless!!
Thanks for sharing that ST, ... it was this exact realization you described above that started my return to sanity ... although as hard as it was to make that change in my life, I've come to know this is what I was seeking all along ... I never knew what 'peace and serenity' were ... they were elusive for me, until I found working this program gave them to me automatically ... NOW, I can enjoy life instead of endure it ...
Love ya man and God Bless, Pappy
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'Those who leave everything in God's hand will eventually see God's hand in everything.'
Awesome ST! The Program boils down to Step 3 for me. How well I can turn it over, determines how well things will go in my life. When we move close to God, he reveals himself to us.
Our book tells us that sometimes a very great effect is felt when this step is honestly taken.
For me, I didn't reallt realise I had taken step three, though my actions with daily prayer were the same as yours, until I had taken step 4. So I didn't notice any great change prior to step 4.
But, not to rain or your parade, our book also tells us there will be little lasting effect from step 3 unless "at once followed by a strenuous effort to face and be rid of the things that have been blocking us". The action of step 3 is step 4, the first serious work we are asked to do.
As Mr D says, keep that momentum going ST. We're all with you!
God bless, MikeH.
-- Edited by Fyne Spirit on Tuesday 29th of October 2013 09:35:26 PM
Mahalo ST for that share and you're right inside the ''changed life" awesome. Been there...doing that...daily...prayer and meditation is 24/7 there is no start/stop time for me since I learned that "God is" 24/7 and is available at all times and always has been. I am available to HP 24/7 and because my God likes simple conversation my third step prayer is always "place me where you want me...tell me what to do". I don't have to start a new conversation with God; cause "God is"....always listening; and when I listen..."God speaks". My relationship with my God is most important and the relationship between my wife and I depends on our individual relationships with HP. That is how is works and that is how it was intended until I got in the way and lost the operators manual.
Great share and congradulations with staying the journey and not loosing he map. (((hugs)))
