I don’t know about you, but when I was a kid, I loved going to the dentist. Not because of getting my teeth cleaned or seeing the dentist, but to look at the Highlights magazine for kids! Maybe because I am an artist and I see in pictures. I also did not have any bad experiences with the dentist as a kid, which helpled. I liked dentists so much, I married one :)))
So, you may be wondering what this has to do with alcoholism and my recovery. Well, here’s the thing—
I loved the center spread drawing challenge in the Highlight magazine, where you had to find the hidden pictures. It was a drawing with many images hidden in the bigger drawing. The challenge was to find all of them. When I found one, I was so excited. I remember thinking when I would find one, “well that was easy.” Then, thinking—”how did I NOT see that.” Then, thinking to myself after seeing the squirrel in the tree, that I could never NOT see the squirrel in the tree, once it was revealed.
When I got sober, I realized that my eyes had been opened to how life could be lived without alcohol. Hmmm. How did I NOT see that? I was not looking and assumed that I could not live my life without alcohol. When I discovered with God’s help, I could do this life sober—well, you get the idea—
I can’t NOT see the squirrel!
People in meetings talk about getting sober, then relapsing and how being in sobriety “wrecked” drinking for them—same concept. They had experienced how good life can be without alcohol and realized it wasn’t going to be an option or their solution to problems anymore. Thank God we get to “keep coming back!” That’s how it works.
No matter how many times we forget or relapse, we can always stop, realize there is a solution and come back. The “squirrel” in the tree that was revealed to me is this: Connection with others like myself, hearing how others stay sober, and relying on God to do for me what I could not do for myself. He WANTS my attention and my reliance. That’s the only time God can work in my life, is when I ask for His help and allow him into my heart, mind and life. That is when the miracles occur for me. My own will was not cutting it.
The part in the scripture I added below is this idea: “God’s power is made perfect in my weakness.” which means I have access to that source/power (made perfect) in my weakness (when I admit I need God.)
By the grace of God, I have not had to relapse in my 6,249 days of sobriety to realize what works. I am grateful for the miracle of my sobriety every day. Miracles can happen for you, too. Remember these things:
Trust others around you for help.
Trust yourself and the process of working the steps with your sponsor.
And, last, and certainly not least, Trust in God to guide you the whole time.
“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”
2nd Corinthians 12:9
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