"WALKING THE HALLWAY OF CHANGE" Alcoholics tend to hate change. They also hate being in a rut. What the ----! No wonder we have a tendency to be restless, irritable, and discontented. This makes for being a little nutty, doesn't it? No wonder we need the 2nd step, "Came to believe that a power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity."
Being a recovering alcoholic means I must always be changing. If I am not moving forward, I will be falling backward. Standing still is an illusion. I heard this when I first got sober and I still believe it today.
Walking through change usually means walking through pain. Even though I know change is for my good and leads to spiritual growth, I still resist it. In that resistance, I experience the pain.
Sometimes I initiate change, but more often, it is God who pushes me in the direction of something different. He often does this by closing a door. A change happens on the job, a job is lost, a marriage breaks up, a child gets in trouble, a health problem arises, a loving, mutually-satisfying, balanced relationship slowly disintegrates, the ability to follow a profession is ended. These are just a few examples of doors closing.
I have learned over time that when one door closes, another one always opens. However, it can be a long time (in my estimation) for that door to open. Sometimes I hunt for wiggle-room trying to force the closing door back open. This never turns out well. It is trying to force "my will", not allowing "God's will". In the interim I spend time in the hallway.
I have also learned over the years that when the next door opens, it is always into something that is even better than where I was before. The best things that have happened to me, I have rarely had anything to do with.
I hate being in the hallway, but given that in my experience it "always" leads to something even better, it just once again proves to me that I don't know what is best for me. God does.
For all of us who may be standing in the hallways of our lives, I pray God gives us the faith to persevere, to stand patient in prayer till the next door opens. May we wait in hope for God's perfect timing to bring the next best thing into our lives.
Prayer Girl
9 comments:
Wow that was great! Is it possible to have one foot in the hallway and another in a newly opened door? That is were I feel I am at right now, God has made some big changes in my life and a change is in place just not sure I am completely through the door with it or if God has opened the door far enough to go through. I love your "hallway" it is the perfect way of explaining what happens to us while we are waiting for God to show us what the next things is to be.
I use the Dylan lyric "he not busy being born, is busy dying" to explain why I must continue to grow, if I am not growing spiritual and mentally then I am dying spiritually and mentally and for this ex drunk that can lead to disaster.
Thanks for a great post
Scott
Oh, the idea of change. The idea of uncertainty. But, with God, we can know that we are in good hands with whatever new changes come our way.
Blessings dear one for sharing.
the rut vs change. how well i know that catch 22.... but i'm getting better....
I've just been contemplating that idea of God continuing to move (and us with Him) as we let go of something and move on in desire, passion and love. We are continually provided with more than enough opportunities to Love and are guided by desire to do so (I believe).
I'm always comforted in your words. You carry a comforting healing spirit!
Wonderful post PG. I used to think that I hated change, but where would we be without it? Thank you for this!
ALWAYS endeavor to persevere...!!!
I love this post. 'Not changing one thing' is a life goal that I have failed at miserably. I've spent way too much time in a hallway. You are right tho'. It does always turn out better.
I have found that I don't like changes much. I like the certainty in life. But there isn't much certainty in living with alcoholism. I guess that the only thing certain is that the Higher Power I call God is watching over me.
Yepp, have to be forced into changes. At least it used to be THAT bad. The happway situation I strongly dislike however I have found more often that I stare for so long at a close ddoor that I dont see the already open door. Thanks for your share. Love across the pond
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