Recovery Meditations: December 12th
~GOD IS ~
Open your eyes and the whole world is full of God.
Jakob Bohme
When I was a
child, my family never talked about God. I never knew the light of God, never
felt His love or power, or recognized His presence in my life. When things were
rough, I could only see the darkness. When I was lonely, I didn't know He was
with me all the time. When I was weak or scared, I thought I had to overcome
and be strong, and not be afraid. I didn't feel His presence with me, or
believe that He was watching over me. Then, for twenty years I was married to a
religious man who did talk about God. I tried so hard to believe as he did, but
his words soon lost their meaning. The abuse began to overshadow the hope that
things would change, and the belief that God would make everything okay, if
only I believed like my husband. For years I have struggled with my faith,
trying to believe in a God that was willing to light my way, love me, and
protect me ... not just in the good times, but in the painful times.
When I first
came into recovery, I was still struggling, but I became "willing to
believe" that God cared about me. I started watching for signs that He was
there, ready to light my path when I could see only the darkness, ready to
enfold me in His arms when I felt unloveable, and ready to protect me when I
was scared. I became willing to recognize His presence in my day-to-day life.
Now that I am
willing, I can find God's love everywhere ... in a friendly smile, in the kind
words of a friend, in the beauty of a flower, and in a child's eyes. Sometimes,
when life gets rough, I have to look a little harder, but it's there. I only
have to remain open and willing to see it and accept it. Wherever I am, God is
there with me, ready to love and protect me.
One Day at a
Time . . .
I will be
willing to see God's presence in my life, and know that wherever I am, God is.
I will let go, and let God be there.
Debbie K.
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Each Day a New Beginning
If I am to be remembered, I hope it
is for the honesty I try to demonstrate, the patience I try to live by,
and the compassion I feel for others.
—JoAnn Reed
Each of us hopes we are leaving a lasting, positive impression on those we befriend and maybe even those we encounter by chance. Having others speak well of us provides the strokes that are often necessary to our "keeping on" when difficulties surface. What we sometimes forget is that we are responsible for whatever lasting impression we leave.
Our behavior does influence what another person carries away from our mutual experience.
We may have left unfavorable impressions during our using days. On occasion, we do yet. However, it's progress, not perfection, we're after. And each day we begin anew, with a clear slate and fresh opportunities to spread good cheer, to treat others with love and respect, to face head-on and with full honesty all situations drawing our attention and participation.
As I look forward to the hours ahead, I will remember that I control my actions toward others. If I want to be remembered fondly, I must treat each person so.
—JoAnn Reed
Each of us hopes we are leaving a lasting, positive impression on those we befriend and maybe even those we encounter by chance. Having others speak well of us provides the strokes that are often necessary to our "keeping on" when difficulties surface. What we sometimes forget is that we are responsible for whatever lasting impression we leave.
Our behavior does influence what another person carries away from our mutual experience.
We may have left unfavorable impressions during our using days. On occasion, we do yet. However, it's progress, not perfection, we're after. And each day we begin anew, with a clear slate and fresh opportunities to spread good cheer, to treat others with love and respect, to face head-on and with full honesty all situations drawing our attention and participation.
As I look forward to the hours ahead, I will remember that I control my actions toward others. If I want to be remembered fondly, I must treat each person so.
From Each Day a New Beginning: Daily Meditations for Women by Karen Casey
© 1982, 1991 by Hazelden Foundation.
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Food for Thought
Meal by Meal
We abstain from compulsive overeating day-by-day and meal-by-meal. After breakfast, we do not worry about how we will feel at dinnertime. After breakfast we know that we have had an abstinent meal and that we can forget about food until it is time for lunch. If we allow ourselves to start thinking about what we will have for the next meal, and the meal after that, we turn on our obsession.
The beauty of abstinence is that it permits us to get from one meal to the next without being constantly preoccupied with food. By abstaining from refined sugars and carbohydrates and our individual binge foods, we no longer have to fight the craving for more. By working the Twelve Steps, we fill our minds with nourishing thoughts, which drive out our former obsession with food.
This meal, which I have planned, is the only one that concerns me now. I do not need to think about other meals or other foods. I will enjoy this meal, and then I will walk away from food into the rest of my life.
Keep me abstinent, meal-by-meal.
We abstain from compulsive overeating day-by-day and meal-by-meal. After breakfast, we do not worry about how we will feel at dinnertime. After breakfast we know that we have had an abstinent meal and that we can forget about food until it is time for lunch. If we allow ourselves to start thinking about what we will have for the next meal, and the meal after that, we turn on our obsession.
The beauty of abstinence is that it permits us to get from one meal to the next without being constantly preoccupied with food. By abstaining from refined sugars and carbohydrates and our individual binge foods, we no longer have to fight the craving for more. By working the Twelve Steps, we fill our minds with nourishing thoughts, which drive out our former obsession with food.
This meal, which I have planned, is the only one that concerns me now. I do not need to think about other meals or other foods. I will enjoy this meal, and then I will walk away from food into the rest of my life.
Keep me abstinent, meal-by-meal.
From Food for Thought: Daily Meditations for Overeaters by Elisabeth L.
©1980, 1992 by Hazelden Foundation.
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The Language of Letting Go
God's Will
Each day, ask God what God wants us to do today; then ask God to help. A simple request, but so profound and far reaching it can take us anywhere we need to go.
Listen: all that we want, all that we need, all the answers, all the help, all the good, all the love, all the healing, all the wisdom, all the fulfillment of desire is embodied in this simple request. We need say no more than Thank You.
This Plan that has been made for us is not one of deprivation. It is one of fullness, joy, and abundance. Walk into it.
See for yourself.
Today, I will ask God to show me what God wants me to do for this day, and then ask for help to do that. I will trust that is sufficient to take me into light and joy.
Each day, ask God what God wants us to do today; then ask God to help. A simple request, but so profound and far reaching it can take us anywhere we need to go.
Listen: all that we want, all that we need, all the answers, all the help, all the good, all the love, all the healing, all the wisdom, all the fulfillment of desire is embodied in this simple request. We need say no more than Thank You.
This Plan that has been made for us is not one of deprivation. It is one of fullness, joy, and abundance. Walk into it.
See for yourself.
Today, I will ask God to show me what God wants me to do for this day, and then ask for help to do that. I will trust that is sufficient to take me into light and joy.
From The Language of Letting Go by Melody Beattie
©1990, Hazelden Foundation.
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The best place to find a helping hand is at the end of your own arm.
--Swedish proverb
During our illness, we hurt others. We hurt ourselves. We messed up a lot. So, a lot of us come into recovery not trusting ourselves very much. The truth is, as addicts, we couldn't be trusted.
But in recovery, we can be trusted again. We can again live and love ourselves. We do this by finding our spiritual center. This is the place inside of us where our Higher Power lives. We turn our will and our lives over to this spiritual center. We do as our spiritual center tells us. And from our spiritual center, we'll find our values. We'll live better lives. We'll come to trust ourselves again.
Prayer for the Day
Higher Power, thank you for helping me believe in myself again. I'll treat myself with love and kindness. I know You want me to.
Action for the Day
Today, I'll list four ways I couldn't be trusted during my addiction. I'll also list four ways I can now be trusted.
You are reading from the book:
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