A few of our friends are in transit around the country and even around the world. I’ve been there and found myself hoping to find a meeting someplace while away from my home group. But, that’s not always going to be possible, as I have found out myself.
What I did find out was that, when meetings aren’t available, that I was being provided for in spite of myself. I found that I was not threatened by alcohol and that God was doing for me what I couldn’t do for myself. I discovered that the foundation that was given to me by my sponsor and others, the practice of the steps, and the meetings which I had attended had carried me through these periods until I was once again back in meetings I had attended for so long.
Someone wrote a meditation in which he said that each day we needed to go into ourselves and find the waters of Life and to carry these with us out into the desert of the world to sustain us until we returned at night and could once again draw on these waters. I know that there was enough given to me by the program to carry me through. The answer to all my needs at those times was spiritual, as long as I would seek and pray to my Higher Power each day. Fortunately today there are other means to communicate with my friends in AA, when I find myself in need of encouragement and strength to go on.
I know one thing, I never felt a bit of fragility in these extended trips away. In my heart and mind I was always in touch with the program and those I knew who sat beside me. I found there was not time and no space which separated us. It’s hard to describe, but I have experienced that connection despite our physical separation. A long time ago my sponsor suggested that I could close my eyes and go to meetings within. I would do that on occasions, which called for it, and could actually picture my friends around the table and sit and listen to them, as they spoke. It was something which gave me comfort in those times of absence.
Anyway, I was thinking about how I was provided for, when I was away and couldn’t get to meetings. As long as I kept my primary purpose before me, I was safe and secure. I owe so much to my Higher Power and those who have supported me through the years. I am grateful.
Again, just thinking about those I know who are absent during this period of time.