Daily
Reflections reading November 22nd
Only Two Sins
.
There are only two sins; the first is to interfere with the growth of another
human being, and the second is to interfere with one’s own growth. ALCOHOLICS
ANONYMOUS, p. 542
Happiness
is such an elusive state. How often do my “prayers” for others involve “hidden”
prayers for my own agenda? How often is my search for happiness a boulder in
the path of growth for another, or even myself? Seeking growth through humility
and acceptance brings things that appear to be anything but good, wholesome and
vital. Yet in looking back, I can see that pain, struggles and setbacks have
all contributed eventually to serenity through growth in the program.
I
ask my Higher Power to help me not cause another’s lack of growth today — or my
own.
© Alcoholics Anonymous World Services
My thoughts on November 22nd Reading
This reading really brings me back to my
religious beliefs, of the condemning God of my family's religion that
condemning vengeful God, who was always going to punish me for all my sins and
I would be condemned to hell forever and ever
To me "the first to interfere with
the growth of another human being" is trying to control the actions of
another person, trying to make them believe in what you believe in, preaching
this way is the one and only way to live life, repent now oh you sinner
"The second to interfere with one’s
own growth" this is were free will comes into play, we know best what is,
or is not good for ourselves, we can do it our way, because it is not hurting
anyone, how I live is none of your business, if you don't like it tough
That to me is nothing more than the
arrogance I had when I was drinking, nothing and nobody was going to interfere
with my drinking, I had a whole host of character defect and short comings when
I arrived at the doors of AA I never called them sin's in the halls of AA
We hear all about the seven deadly SINS:
"that word again" Pride, Envy, Gluttony, Lust, Anger, Greed, Sloth,
well to me these character defects, often far exceeding their intended purpose,
we willfully demand they supply us with more satisfaction or pleasure
This is the point we depart from the
degree of perfection that God wants for us, it is the measure of our character
defects, If we ask, God will certainly forgive our defects, but in no case does
He render us white as snow and keep us that way without our cooperation
In my years in AA I have seen my people
who proclaimed, Jesus Christ was their savior and we all should repent and
follow Jesus to salvation, only to see these people after a few month of trying
to change people just go back out drinking
For me I had enough preaching in my
drinking days, I do not need to hear this on the floor of an AA meeting, our
doors are open to all regardless of religious beliefs, I have my own personal
belief I had this spiritual experience feeling the presents of
"Jesus" (God of my understanding)
I try not to talk about sins, or any
religion in my shares in AA, because I do not want to scare off someone of a
different religion who is just coming into the halls, trying to find themselves
as I did long ago, I know when I got here I did not want to hear about sins or
religion
I came into AA to find out how to drink
in safety, but learned how not to ever have to pick up another drink, because
someone said don't worry about the God talk, you can pick your own higher
power, but keep an open mind to the possibility that you too my find the God of
your own understand
Well that was good enough for me I just
needed a power greater than myself, for me this was that group of drunks who
welcomed me into AA when I got to these halls I had no faith in any type of God
and I sure did not trust yours
I sat and listened to how people shared
how they began to believe in the higher power concept this group was power
greater than myself this only worked for a little while, as time past I needed
more so I tried this prayer thingy
Got on my knees and asked Him for help to
stay away from a drink today it worked but still something else was missing I
still was not honest with people so I started to get honest and humble in my
daily prayers to Him
The things I prayed for I was not
getting, I was still being selfish in my prayers to this new found power
greater than myself, so he answered my prays He say NO or you have to be
kidding, see my new found God has a sense of humor
He talks thru people, so next time you
hear some one at meeting it just might be God's answer to your questions listen
with an open mind try to be humble in your praying, ask for His guidance in
your life knowledge of just what His will is for you today and how to carry it
out
So for me God, as I understand Him, all loving
and forgiven, gave me this second chance at life, trying only to attune my free
will into His will for me, He did remove the most glaring character defects and
shortcomings I had but even today I have more work to do in this area
God bless you Al M
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suggestions or comments
