Today I was once again sent back into a Step I can never forget. In fact on the way to the meeting, two of us talked about this. And at the meeting today this was also the topic. The Ninth Step, making amends.
Never want to forget this Step, because it put the spiritual life into action within me. It was this that brought the restoration to sanity and the spiritual awakening once again into my life. Even more, because the promises from the Eighth came into action.
When we talked about this today, a lot talked about their experiences in doing this. Also the results of mending a lot of relationships. I can remember things which worked and those that didn’t. I can well remember my sponsor’s advice, his wife’s, and my co-sponsor’s. Had a lot of things happening from early on. And I have no doubt that there’s more out there that I’m not aware of. Probably a lot I missed. All I know is that this helped change a lot of my life. It lifted me up past what I was presently living then.
When I wonder where I am from time to time, I can go back to this Step and know all I have to do is to stop and pray meditate, while recalling the effects I was given then. A lot of repaired relationships. And a lot of humility, which I was introduced to in doing this. I can remember my children asking me not to do this for them. They told me that what I was doing was enough and they were grateful. I could go through a lot of close relationships, especially family, but they were common, as I heard again today.
I know I received a lot of laughs, when I told them about my mother. I sat down and opened up to her. She sat very quietly during my account. And when I finished, she sat quietly for a few minutes. And then she looked up at me and said, “And furthermore…” That almost brought the house down. Made me grateful, because at the base of all this are some really tough thoughts for all of us.
Anyway, this is probably one of the action Steps, which can bring a lot of blessings into our lives. Did mine. And just another reminder of why we are all here. To stay sober a day at a time. Not just a reminder. Part of the foundations to this. Makes me grateful for all I have been given. Not just the spiritual part, the God of my understanding, but all those, who helped me.