Talk about being reminded of something, a friend reminded me of something that old timer Walt, who just passed away, said. He said, faith without hope is like honey in a sieve. Eventually we lose it.
I know the truth of that, because many years ago, before I really picked up a drink again, I lost my faith. I was in the seminary in those years. It began with a doubt. Instead of stopping and renewing hope, I let fear creep in. The next thing I knew, I had left the seminary and drank. That drink lasted twenty years or more.
Then, when I came in here, even though I believed there was a God, I had no faith and the struggle to come into a spiritual way of life almost stopped me. But there was a difference this time. I had found a hope. It began with the hope that I could get sober with the help of the program and the people I met in here. That was the beginning of a faith that works.
I know I have said this before many times. I can never say it or think about it enough. First comes perseverance, then comes hope, then faith, and then love. It comes in that order. And if I stop or lose one of them, I lose all of them.
I talked to an old friend this evening about prayer and meditation. About spirituality and the spiritual way of life. She said how important intention, willingness, and consistency were. To be consistent. Meaning to persevere. Never to quit no matter what. To always keep trying and not quit. That’s what supports us and helps us to stay sober. Sooner or later we arrive at the place where we’re supposed to be. That I believe, because I have experienced it over and over in this program.
It’s really simple, when I think about it. And simple works for this alcoholic, who has a tendency to complicate everything. I need to remember to keep things simple. To pray simple prayers to my higher power. To ask for help. That’s simple. To thank him. Simple. To keep my meditations simple. To accept God’s will for me and not my own will. To be aware of my intentions. What do I intend to do, when I pray and seek a conscious contact with the God of my understanding. Not only to know my intentions, but to be willing, even if I think I fall short of my goal. To keep on trying and to hope. Always to hope.
What this program has done for me is that it gave me hope and keeps giving me hope. That began with that Second Step.
Anyway, I was thinking of what Walt said, not just to me, but a whole bunch of us, who are still sober. I have much gratitude for having been given the opportunity to have known him and so many like him, who helped me get sober and were instrumental in my working this program and having made so many changes in me.
I think I’ll keep following his words and thinking about them often.