Wisdom For Today - May

[bluidkiti]

May 2

Wisdom for Today
Addiction is not a great teacher. Day after day it reveals more pain and suffering. Still,
in spite of the lessons we are given, we have difficulty letting go of this way of life. We
see the physical, emotional, and social pain. We experience the spiritual emptiness; and
yet we hang on. We continue to hope the next time will be different. We think we will
somehow regain the ability to control our use. Most of us continue on this path until we
finally experience a crisis that gives us a brief wake up call. We are given an opportunity
to break out of the insanity.

Fortunately, the 12-step program is a good teacher. Not only does it teach us how to stop
drinking and drugging, but it also teaches us a new way of living. Through the process of
going to meetings, working the steps and living the principles, we are transformed. The
program teaches us the wisdom of keeping things simple. It teaches us the way to find
freedom and happiness. It opens our eyes to the insanity of our ways and enlightens us with
hope. We learn to fear that first drink, pill, or fix. Do I have any doubt about the power
of addiction?
Meditations for the Heart
Walk humbly in the presence of God. This has become a statement that guides the way I try
to live. At first my understanding of turning it over was very naive. I simply didn’t drink
or use drugs, went to meetings and worked the steps. But over time, I have grown in my
understanding of this principle. Today, I work to recognize that I walk through this life
in the presence of God. He is always around. There is no place that I can hide from Him.
Certainly the bottle and the drugs did not hide me from His presence. I was simply too
wasted to know that He was near, but this did not mean that He was not watching out for me.
As I approach any situation in my life, I try to remember His presence. I attempt to live
life in a way that He would want me to live. His presence has become a guiding principle for
me. Do I know that God walks with me?
Petitions to my Higher Power
God,

Today I understand what a friend You have been in my life. Keep me focused on Your presence
in my life, and help me to make decisions about my life based on this knowledge. Give me
courage for this day; and grant me patience, understanding and wisdom in all that I do. Let
me live this day knowing You are always near.

Amen