Monday, November 17, 2008

"GOD'S CARE"


"GOD'S CARE"

One of the many activities we had during our retreat weekend was a small group discussion. There were 28 people attending and for the purpose of this activity we broke up into small groups of about 6 each. Our suggested topic for discussion was:

How God took care of us in our addiction.

I know that the greatest thing God did for me in my addiction was to keep me alive. Had I not gotten sober, I believe I would have died. I stayed alive long enough to find Alcoholics Anonymous and from that beginning a whole new wonderful life.

God led me to my first Alcoholics Anonymous meeting. To this day, I don't know how I knew where to go or how I found that Noon women's meeting. Maybe the nurse who came into my office at work and talked to me about my alcoholism told me about it. (I tried not to listen to her, being in a terrible state of denial.) My mind was pretty pickled at that time so maybe she did, maybe she didn't. All I know is that I ended up at the exact place I needed to be through no thought of my own.

God also took a horrible situation and turned it to the good. One night I "came to" out of a blackout with a kitchen knife on my wrist (later my ex-husband told me I had it aimed at him before that) and God used this episode to bring me into a relationship with a minister of our church. I ended up visiting and being counseled by him once a week over many months. He saw me week after week even when I was still drinking. (I never went to see him drunk, but I had not stopped drinking yet.) I remember the love this man expressed, telling me he would continue to see me, welcome me, but gently telling me things would not get better until I stopped drinking. I actually heard him even though I was not yet ready or able to quit. I felt accepted and loved even in my most hopeless state.


God orchestrated so many different events that culminated in my hitting bottom, surrendering, turning my life over to Him, and beginning to be restored to sanity and health through the program of Alcoholics Anonymous.

I was unable to help myself.

No human was able to get me to stop drinking.


God reached down using the hands,
mouths, and hearts of people in
Alcoholics Anonymous and saved me.

Thank you God,
Prayer Girl

13 comments:

Zanejabbers said...

Wonderful post. Did you ever look to see how many footprints were behing you?

Shadow said...

little by little the lights went on. it's gradual. when i think about it, with me too. niggly things, that, thank god, culminated in the final big step...

Lou said...

God orchestrates it, but I think having one person listen & care makes the difference.

big Jenn said...

God not only got me sober, but keeps me sober. I know this. Thank you for reminding me. jeNN

Progress, Not Perfection said...

I think I am really getting used to this God thing. He takes care of a lot of my s***.

Thanks for the honest and touching post. It continues to give me hope.

Kristen

J-Online said...

Thanks for such an honest post. It helps to remember the past and hear others stories as I go through my journey. Many Blessings, Jen

Jess Mistress of Mischief said...

God is awesome...you carry him well!

steveroni said...

Well, I looked behind you, Prayer Girl...and there is still only ONE set of footprints. They do not looks like your own. God blesses you!

Unknown said...

An amazing and honest post, thank you so much for this!!!

Thank you,
Gabi

Wait. What? said...

Beautifully written.

Cat

Syd said...

Such a great story about how your life was then and how it is now. I'm so glad that you had the priest there to help and ultimately God was there all the time.

indistinct said...

Thank you for sharing this.

Laura said...

Thank you for sharing this personal post. It gives a mother hope....always hope.