Big Book Quote

[newby1961]

"When ready, we say something like this :"My Creator, I am now willing that you should have all of me, good and bad. I pray that you now remove from me every single defect of character which stands in the way of my usefulness to you and my fellows. Grant me strength, as I go out from here, to do your bidding. Amen." We have completed Step Seven."

~ Alcoholics Anonymous 1st Edition Into Action pg 76
c Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, INC.

[Music]

There was a time when I got very frustrated about the fact that I still had these character defects and shortcomings going on and here I had all this time in AA and maybe I just wasn't trying hard enough to work on these little beasts. Then it was pointed out to me that in this prayer, there is no mention of me asking God to help me remove these things. I'm telling God that He can have "all of me, good and bad." I'm asking Him to "remove from me, every single defect of character that stands in the way of my usefulness to Him and my fellows." In other words, He's the judge as to what's to be removed....not me. So, my job here is to keep seeking God and at the same time, stay out of His way so He can do His work. I stopped nagging!!

[pipparina]

Thanks Music. I feel the same way. Why can't I give up being (fill in the blank). But if nothing else, now I see the defects I still have more clearly. I think being aware of them and asking God to help remove them is a big part of this step. I was a bit disappointed when I wasn't wiped clean as snow when I first took this step.