When my niece, Amanda and nephew, Brian were six-years-old, we were all walking through Harrah’s Casino in Tahoe. An army of confident gamblers high on a win and on our way to dinner. My brother had just won a $350 jackpot. The two little ones marching along in front of us turned to each other after learning this fact and shouted, “We are RICH BEYOND BELIEF!”
Needless to say, everybody rolled with laughter and it has become a saying in our family from that point forward, referring not to “money rich”—but richly blessed with the love we share as a family.
That rich feeling, is what I felt when I started to come alive after giving up alcohol and starting to live the life that God intended for me. Joining my new family of sober alcoholic friends. In my drinking days, especially toward the end, I felt like I was getting old and not making a difference in life. Approaching my fiftieth birthday with nothing to show for it but lots of lost days mindlessly drinking and not caring—self-absorbed.
With each passing day of sobriety, I feel richer and richer, like my love and energy is brimming over and I am needing to share it. When I got sober, my purpose was redefined and I decided to make it my mission to help as many alcoholics and addicts know that they didn’t have to live like that in the cycle of destruction—and, that they didn’t have to do this life of recovery on their own. I would be there.
In Step Two of the Twelve Steps, it says this: “Came to believe that a power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity”
My first thought after reading this the first time was that I was offended— “I am not sure I was insane to begin with.” But after deeper study and learning, I realized that I wasn’t insane, but my behavior was insane. Doing the same thing over and over, expecting different results. I had to change my behavior. Be willing to believe that God could restore me in a new way—new sane behaviors that supported my newly sober state.
I realized that having new tools for sobriety, I could now make a difference, just by showing up for others—
Sober.
Being ready to serve.
Making a difference in your life (and mine.)
Living a life that is—Rich Beyond Belief—One day at a time.
You can do it too. God is in the restoration business. Turn it over to God and trust Him with the results.
Just try it. And then, look for the evidence that it works.
“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
Matthew 6:19-27
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