In our recovery meetings, we pass the basket around about halfway through the meeting for donations. Most people put in a dollar. Our 7th Tradition states that we are “Fully self-supporting through our own contributions.”
I once heard someone say that meetings are the only place you can get “change for a dollar”
I giggled after learning that phrase.
And, I don’t mean coin change, I mean change of the transformational kind—inside and out. I have been in recovery for a number of days now—5513 to be exact— and have witnessed true transformation happen. Sometimes the people themselves don’t even recognize the shift until somebody else points it out to them. They will come in silent, broken, messed up (inside and out) and if they just stay in their chair, don’t drink, and keep coming back, they will eventually start changing.
It’s a new kind of high for me now, to go to meetings and witness someone early in recovery that is starting to change as a result of getting sober and working the program. I love to see the light go on in their eyes, see them take better care of themselves, speak out in meetings and generally look more engaged in life.
I am not talking about chump change here—I am talking about the extravagant change that happens in us when we surrender to God. Rich. Deep. Love-of-God-at-work change.
I am not saying it’s easy. If it was, I would have done it sooner in life. We can’t wait for change to happen. We need to first admit there is a problem with our addiction. Then, turn it over to God. And, then, WE still have to do the footwork.
Show up.
Work the steps with a sponsor.
Service to others.
It works. Try it. You will notice the change in you over time. That’s why I am still counting my days.
One day at a time.
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.”
Proverbs 3:5-6
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