Prayers, Answers, and Gratitude

[gravity]

An unexpected gift I have received from Alcoholics Anonymous is learning how to pray and to feel & hear the answers to my prayers. In the past, many of my prayers were selfish – get me out of this situation, reveal the right things to me so that I can have a great career, be a great father, be respected. Today, my prayers are much different. I pray for the serenity, the calmness of mind to see the path the Creator has laid out for me and the strength to follow that path. I ask the Creator to carry me when I am hurting & overwhelmed. I pray for the Creator to take care of those who are suffering. I pray to give thanks – for everything.

Earlier this week, I lost a young cousin. When this news was confirmed, I was on my way to work with a client. My mind was racing – what do I do? I stopped in a quiet area and prayed. Asking the Creator to take care of his family. Asking the Creator for guidance – what do I do? Immediately, I calmed down enough to think things through – leave my client with a list of things to work on and reschedule. Tell his aunt/my mother in person, comfort her – don’t let her find out by telephone. Call my uncle (he lives out of town) – tell him that I will do anything to help, anything at all.

I will see my uncle in person in the very near future. What do you say to a man who has lost his boy? Last night, this was really troubling me. Before I went to bed, I prayed, asked the Creator for guidance. I woke up in the middle of the night and the words in my mind were “the Creator called him home.” The simple truth. Nothing to question. It is not for me or anybody else to know why.

I am trying to write this message in a positive way. Right now, I feel strong, focused, and ready to do what I have to do. My heart breaks for those left behind but this isn’t about me. This is about putting all of my needs aside and opening my arms wide to others. The Creator has given me this gift and ability – to love.

[CarolD]

Powerful post D....Mega

Prayers for comfort to all who love your cousin.

[Impurrfect]

(((gravity)))

Thanks for such a wonderful post. I, too, have learned a better way to pray, since "get me out of this mess I got myself into" wasn't working Now, when I am struggling with something and don't know what to do, I simply pray "I'm struggling here, can you help me out" and let it go...it always works.

Hugs and prayers to you and your family!

Amy

[caraway]

Great post gravity, thanks. Its good to hear of another example of the program put into action and that you could be of such help to your family. It took me a long time, but I've learnt of the benefit of prayers and of gratitude in my life today too.

Prayers to you and your family from me too.

[barb dwyer]

The Creator has given me this gift and ability – to love.

And the means BY WHICH *TO* do it - sobriety.

Your greatest service to your family - is your own sobriety.

Great post - thank you for sharing it with me.

[barb dwyer]

Oh yeah - and all these other people, I'm sure.

[Tazman53]

Thanks for sharing that Gravity a very powerful post, your experience has re-enforced my own, it has given me strength.

I pray that you will be given comfort and guidance through out this and pray as well that his parents will be given comfort. My condolances to all parties concerned.

[sugErspun]

"An unexpected gift I have received from Alcoholics Anonymous is learning how to pray and to feel & hear the answers to my prayers."

Wonderful Grav - it's about a heck of a lot more than 'not drinking'.

Thanks for a great share.

[GlassPrisoner]

Sorry for your loss....

Now days, I would no more leave the house without my morning prayer and meditation then I would leave the house unclothed.

And, my prayers are usually pretty simple. If boils down to asking for Knowledge if His Will for me, and saying Thank You.