Ah, that Third Step became the main subject of the meeting today. It was lively and sometimes deeply serious, but often humorous. To me a typical and fruitful discussion. I know others told me they got so much out of it. Old timers and newer folk.
We talked about it after the meeting, a number of us. And on the way home a friend of mine and I continued to talk about it. Now, hours after that meeting, I’m still thinking about it.
Almost, but not quite, everyone discussed their problems with this Step. Many admitted it was their incomplete acceptance at first of the Second Step. A lot of intellectualizing and analysis of the Third was what gave a lot of us problems in accepting this Step.
Myself, I had to remind me and others what the BB said about this and the Second Step in the chapter, working with others. We’re not there to teach the new man our beliefs. We let them work it out for themselves, as long as it makes sense to them. It’s part of what happened in the writing the 12 Steps. After fighting and quarreling over the word “God” in the Steps, the words a “Power greater than ourselves” replaced the word “God”. And “the God of our understanding” replaced it in the Third. That change opened the door to any alcoholic no matter what he did or didn’t believe. It left it up to the individual.
I can remember my struggles, or idiocy, in trying to turn my life and my will over to the care of the God of my understanding. I spent so much time on this I hardly had time to think about alcohol or even taking a drink. But eventually hearing something simple opened the door and I was able to move on with the rest of the program and the Steps.
I can only guess, but the man, who was struggling with this, I’m sure got a lot of help from those in the room today. Like I said, I know I did.
What I was thinking after wards was how much help I have been given by my Higher Power, the God of my understanding. One of the old timers today said how he often fails to thank Him. That reminded me that I failed to do the same thing last night. So I stopped and gave thanks. I wouldn’t even be here, if it wasn’t for my Higher Power. Like many said today, they’d probably have been dead years ago without His help.
Just thinking about sobriety and all that has been given to me and my need to express my gratitude. It’s beyond description.