The material presented
here is not Al-Anon Conference Approved Literature. It is a method
to exchange
information, ideas, feelings, problems and solutions on a personal
level.
Today's sharing is on how this Al-Anon member found their relationship with their Higher Power, after finding Al-Anon because they were full of despair and their life feeling meaningless. On working the first 3 steps, they discovered a faith of their own. Also, listening to other members speak of their HP, and who they related to. Through listening to others share of the process of building a relationship with their HP. Of what the process involved, Talking {Praying}, listening{meditating} and learning to Trust, and to come to believe that the Friend{ their HP} would be there.
Slowly, applying all of it, they discovered that their HP had become their best friend, and now are able to pray for help during their struggles and to feel the Hand of their HP supporting them.
"The Though For Today", being, the Steps speak of a God of my understanding. Am I engaging in the behaviour necessary to reach that understanding?
"".... My life has changed completely as I have pursued spiritual development and turned to a Higher Power for help."
I can so relate to this sharing, I often stop and think of what "my life" was like when I was first given Al-Anon, and how my life, myself and my Program, and my Spiritual relationship has changed since then. In the early days, because I had so much to unlearn, and learn, I hung on to my HP with a great deal of Fear, trusting someone that I couldn't touch, or feel, was so difficult for myself and my character. Even with my Fear, I knew, I couldn't let go of Him, as He was the only one who was near me,I had no one else to talk to, help me, or listen to me. I watched as I started to see His Hand in my life, and how He helped me,when there was no one else around me.
Slowly, but slowly, I started to trust, staying with my meetings, and my Al-Anon friends, and I began to change, including my life, and how I sorted things out. I can still remember my very first feeling of Serenity, and it was just so good, that I wanted more of it. As living with the Chaos that I had lived with in much of my life, I knew it was God sent.
What is my relationship like now with my HP, it is one of Friendship, Trust, Love,Companionship. He has become my greatest Friend, someone I can always turn to when my life becomes dark. Was it easy, gosh, no, did it take time, oh yes, was it worthwhile, very much so. Did He do it all for me, no He didn't, but He gave me the way to do it, by giving me the greatest gift of all, in the Al-Anon Program, knowing how scared I was, but holding my hand all the way. He also gave me the other Greatest Gift, for me to have the ability and courage, to be Me.
Thanks Wendy for your service and all above ESH. When I think back to before program and even before I had a God of my understanding, I spent many years miserable. All I knew about life was misery, and wow, what a difference now! My relationship with my HP was grown so much as I've tackled the teachings of alanon. They go hand in hand in my way of thinking. Grateful member always.
