Last night I had a long conversation with a friend I haven’t talked to in a long time. What was interesting was that a lot of it was about alcoholics to whom we carried the AA message; 12th Step. Some of it was humorous memories and then some of it was rough. We both remembered that we never knew what to expect. But we both agreed that these experiences were valuable and played a large part in helping us to come to value this program and what it offered us.
All that was back in a time before rehabs came into the picture. The 12th Step calls were common back then. You could be sure your phone would ring at any moment and you would be off on another opportunity to carry the message to the alcoholic who was still suffering.
Today is different in terms of having the opportunity to go out on such visits to alcoholics. But as I say this, I know that 12th Step calls are still available to all of us. Everyday we go to meetings we have occasion to carry the message to those we meet with in the groups we attend. Everytime we make or receive a call from another member is just another 12th Step, whether we’re conscious of it or not. At least that has been my experience.
For the most part, I go to meetings to be reminded of what I often forget. But I also go out of gratitude. To have that moment when I can return the gift so freely given to me. That’s all spelled out for us in the 5th Tradition of this program. Each Alcoholics Anonymous group ought to be a spiritual entity having but one primary purpose- that of carrying its message to the alcoholic who still suffers.
That call last night was just that. A 12th Step call for us both. I was thinking about this today.