Miracle on Maple Street

[The_Hammer]

I grew up in a small town in Nebraska. On Maple Street.

Today, there are times when I pray and I feel that no one hears me. At times I think and feel that I wasted tons of money and time going to school. Still more times that I wonder what will become of all the experiences; both positive and negative in life. Then come the moments that define everything, those revelatory moments in life that you can look back on and say; "This changes everything!" and from those life changing moments, real change is delivered, wrapped in swaddling clothes and placed lovingly by God in my heart.
Mary looked at her situation in the same way. When it was revealed to her that she would deliver a child, as a virgin and the child would be God incarnate, Mary said; "May it be to me as you have spoken it." To the angel that visited her with her life changing message. Not all (I would venture to say Mary's revelation was once in a million lifetimes) life's defining moments are so huge. Sometimes they are very subtle and the only way you know they have arrived is in those quiet moments alone with God. Some are moving, but gentle and tender moments, such as I had with my only son on Christmas eve.
My son tries so very hard, but seems to feel that he fails me. So long have I allowed him to feel this way that he has no confidence within himself. No confidence that a loving and gentle God watches over him and does hear his cries, and so do I. This revelation came to me on the eve of the birth of the King of Kings, God incarnate. A God that humbled Himself to such a degree that He staged His birth into flesh in a hay trough, in a barn. After 18 years I told my son that I loved him without exception, I told him I am always proud of him. Yes, he has disappointed me, but disappointment doesn't preclude my love for him, nor does success in anything bring him any more or any less love for him. He is my son.
It was truly a Christmas to remember.

[toad]

Thanks for sharing Jimmy. Truly God is doing for us what we could not do for ourselves. I heard something at a meeting last night that I thought very profound. Someone said that "AA was the #1 thing that had happend to them in their life." As I thought about that, and it being Christmas, and I myself being a Christian, I wondered. Then I came to the realization that without AA and the fellowship and the program, I would be without the closeness that I feel to God. The truth be that when I am wasted or have my mind altered in any way, I do not think of God. The same could be said about my family, without AA I have none that stay close. The same could be said about my money. If I don't practice the princilples taught in the 12 steps I end up broke, drunk or sober!


I have been to 8 meetings in 7 days.....I did not plan that. I was humbled by being asked to speak in KC last Saturday, and tonight after I carry a meeting into the prison, I go to Diggins Mo. and speak again. I am humbled by all of this and try and realize that I did not bring this about. Only by have a loving God in my life can I do anything right. Today God still does for me what I could not do for myself.

Praise God that your son and you have a good relationship.....I pray for you Jimmy, please life me up in your prayers also.....thanks

[recoveringnky]

As usual Jimmy, you've touched my heart!
I love ya much!!!

[toad]

time to check in hammer..........I pray all is well with you my brother