"DOES IT WORK?""....an utterly simple and universally applicable test for Truth. It is a test that any man or woman of any kind, anywhere, can easily apply for himself. It is as simple and direct as the acid test for gold. It is the simple question - DOES IT WORK? This test is so staggeringly simple that most clever people have passed it over as not worth considering, forgetting that all the great elemental things of life are simple."
(From: "The Sermon on the Mount" by Emmet Fox, p. 132-133)
When I first arrived at the doors of Alcoholics Anonymous, nothing was simple for me. I was in such chaos, confusion, and pain that I was desperate to find a solution. I had tried many other solutions to no avail (churches, ministers, psychiatrists, counselors, doctors, medications, etc.). I simply could not stop drinking. Once I finally did stop drinking (through the help of a sponsor in AA), I discovered I needed a solution to the overwhelming difficulties of "living".
I have had many desperate people beg me for reassurance that there is a way out of the pitiful and incomprehensible demoralization they find themselves in - both in AA and Al-Anon. The only reason I am able to offer any reassurance is because I have asked myself the question - DOES IT WORK? (AA and Al-Anon) - and have been able to answer, YES!
People often then move beyond the simple DOES IT WORK? YES! to complicating it and asking HOW? But luckily, the program has provided answers to this too. The simplest of answers is:
H - Honesty
O - Open-mindedness
W - Willingness
If we have a willingness to be as honest as we can be, follow the program laid out before us, and have even the smallest amount of open-mindedness, then God can enter into the narrowest of places within us, and create the necessary CHANGE.
The change comes about one-day-at-a-time, one step at a time, slowly - with patience, persistence, and hope. At first, I had very little of that, my hope came from other members of AA and Al-Anon who had found the solution before me and had enough hope and faith to share. They supported and guided me till I found my own.
Today, I share this hope, belief, faith, and trust with those who have not yet found their own and with those who, like all of us, have our 'step backward' days.
I have had enough chaos, stress, conflict, desperation, anger, misunderstanding, emotional/mental/physical pain, and confusion for this lifetime. It is easy to be overwhelmed by it all. That is why I choose to share the hope, calm, peace, serenity, emotional sobriety, health, and wholeness I have found in AA and Al-Anon.
Thank God for AA and Al-Anon, for other recovering people I see face to face, and for all you cherished bloggers.
Prayer Girl
(Photo credit: Mother Nature's Valentine by Ranger Mark)
9 comments:
I watched and interview some years ago with Paul Girolami, then head of Glaxo, one of Britain biggest companies. Asked what as head his main function was he replied. " It's to ask the simple question. Everyone gets caught up in an idea and thats good. But often this builds to a point where no one can ask " Is this worth it, does it work", because they don't want to seem silly. Well, that's my job and it's amazing how many times after asking those two question, silence will desceend on a room.
If I don't pick up the first drink, I can't get drunk. It really is that simple.
He is working... I am working... and I see others working, toward a solution to the problems that are inherently human in nature.
Alcohol was the problem that was killing me, as soon as I was beaten to a state of reasonableness... I found that God was right there, ready to show me the light.
I have other problems that pop up now. I used ta could cover em with a nice layer of what I thought was liquid sunshine... somehow it always went dark. I know now that all those other problems I tried to cover up, well they were still there, eating away at me when I sobered up.
Glad God also put me in the right place at the right time.
I love that he's had me all along.
it does.
you have really hit the nail on the head. Many newcomers ask this question, i had one girl who was so angry with God that she did everything to sabotage the program for herself just to prove it did not work. I guess the saying is true it works if you want it to. This is a program for those who want it not those who need it, else everyone would have it, how wonderful would that be!! Thanks for the awesome post.
It's working in my life. And I'm grateful for that.
OH Hell yes, it works.
You have a kind and gentle way with words.
Does it work?
Why, yes...thank you for asking!
How?
Damned if I know!
Always,
--it-works-a-roni
I think I can remember your HOW, thanks, this is a nice post. So much is overwhelming for me right now. THanKS!!!
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