Step Three

[JT]

This is ongoing for me...I have to be reminded.

I took back my life for a period of time when things were gong well and God in His wisdom nudged me back to all of you and back under His care. During that time I stayed on top of my "feelings" and monitored myself but it was ME making the decisions and doing the work. Now I know deep down how much easier it is to just turn it over.

They say alcoholism is a progressive disease...I now believe recovery is progressive too. After being away for awhile...in a relatively short time I have found my way back to the place I was at when I left. Like riding a bike.

God brought me back and just for today I turn it over....and it leaves me feeling so peaceful, and loved and cared for. I don't have to DO anything...I don't have to fix anyone...I don't have to BE anything that I am not. I just show up...the rest will be given to me.

What a gift!

Hugs,
JT

I don't have to DO anything...I don't have to fix anyone...I don't have to BE anything that I am not. I just show up...the rest will be given to me.

That's a wonderful statement JT. We are tempted sometimes to do it ourselves and to fix ourselves or others. I have learned to be honest with God and to confess who I am. At first this was very frightening to me. I knew that I wasn't ok and didn't want God to know it I guess, as if He didn't already know. So now I offer myself to God just as I am and I don't try to pretend to be something I'm not. I trust that God will finish His work in me.

1TH 5:23 May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it.

PHP 2:12 Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed--not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence--continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.

[Ann]

JT - Like you, when I wander or get complacent with this step, God taps me on the shoulder, just before he puts His arm around it. My adversities draw me back to HIM, but as time goes by I have learned to stay by Him and all is well.

And MG - thank you so much for sharing those scriptures. There are so many positive wonderful things in the Bible, that assure me I am a child of God and I am loved by Him.

Step 3 isn't just the third of 12, it is the step that opens the door to everything else in recovery. It is the one where our spirit is awakened and our souls are free at last.

And it truly is a gift.