“While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” ~ Romans 5:8
The writing assignment was meant
to encourage courage and self-discovery.
She chose to attend an AA (Alcoholics Anonymous) meeting to gain
insights into the world of drunks and destitutes.
Its setup was like every other AA meeting. Folding chairs in a large circle, the Serenity
Prayer in a picture frame on a table full of pamphlets with titles like “A
Newcomer Asks” and “12 Traditions.”
She took an empty chair.
A quick glance around the room told her that she wasn’t paranoid, that
curious eyes stared at her. Maybe
because she was new, or because she was so young, or perhaps because she looked
terrified.
They recited the Serenity Prayer. When it was her turn, she said, almost
inaudibly, “I’m Calle, I’m a teen alcoholic.”
The group responded with the proverbial “Hi Calle!”
She took a breath before wading in. She’d spent hours prepping the story before
the meeting. Raised in a very
religious family, rebelled after high school, estranged from her family, lost all
her friends, then made new ones on the street.
Found solace at the bottom of a bottle.
Did whatever she could to make money for booze, got busted, and “Here I
am.”
She let her shoulders slump from the weight of her imaginary confession. Then listened. The worst story was from a man who woke up in his own vomit, then ate it for the alcohol content.
Members encouraged one another to share their feelings and
experiences with addiction as they worked through each step of a 12 Step
Process. Its goal was to help members
make the personal changes needed to overcome addiction. Programs differ slightly, but some common
steps include:
Admit powerlessness in control of
addiction
Recognize a power greater than
ourselves can give strength
Take an inventory and examine past
mistakes
Make amends for wrongdoings
Commit to living a new way of life
Carry this message forward and help
others
They begin with an admission of human shortcomings and a
profession of faith in God’s power, love, and forgiveness. They’re rooted in the larger ideas of faith,
honesty, humility, repentance, and commitment.
Such is the struggle of an alcoholic, Calle reasoned. But the experience of weakness in the face of
addiction is universal - whether it be cellphones, clothing, material
possessions, pornography, gaming, drugs, or simply powerlessness over our human
failings.
The 12 steps program uses Christian-based methods to heal
those who suffer from anything that separates them from God and hinders their
lives. There is hope that comes with
complete surrender to God the Father, utter reliance upon Jesus, and the
sanctification of the Holy Spirit.
Nothing prevents us from all following the 12-Step
Improvement Process for our lives.
Father God, “grant me the
serenity to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I
can; and wisdom to know the difference.”
Amen ~ (Serenity Prayer)
