Daily Reflections is a book of “reflections” written by A.A. members for A.A. members. However, being that the foundation of the program of Alcoholics Anonymous rests on Spiritual Principles, many people outside of A.A. can also benefit from the reflections for the day. Keep reading for today’s Daily Reflection (December 6th).
When we developed still more, we discovered the best possible source of emotional stability to be God Himself. We found that dependence upon His perfect justice, forgiveness, and love was healthy, and that it would work where nothing else would. If we really depended upon God, we couldn’t very well play God to our fellows nor would we feel the urge wholly to rely on human protection and care.
– Twelve Steps And Twelve Traditions p. 116
Since the program of A.A. is not a religious program but a Spiritual one, many have different concepts of a Higher Power – here referred to as God. That being the case, many replace the pronouns used such as “He” with “She” or even “The Spirit” while reading. These slight adjustments can help keep our minds open to our own individual experience and journey.
The quote above continues with the following shared experience:
It has been my experience that, when all human resources appear to have failed, there is always One who will never desert me. Moreover, He is always there to share my joy, to steer me down the right path, and to confide in when no one else will do. While my well-being and happiness can be added to, or diminished, by human efforts, only God can provide the loving nourishment upon which I depend for my daily spiritual health.
– Daily Reflections p. 349
My Daily Reflection
All of my human resources failing me, in turn rendering me powerless, was a difficult concept to accept. I come from and was raised with the same Power described in a book of blogs by Martin Locket. One particular blog, so fittingly titled Incarcerated Mentality, states the following:
As a Black man, I take immense pride in knowing what my ancestors overcame hundreds of years ago amid the heinous, inhuman conditions they were forced to endure. It empowers me to know I come from a lineage of people who could muster the mental and physical mettle to persevere through such horrific circumstances and not succumb to them. I have found myself invoking their relentless spirit of determination of not allowing my physical circumstances to suppress my drive to be better, achieve more, and experience a greater life than I have ever known.
– My Prison Life p. 74
Martin Lockett
The Power that I, too, come from made my surrendering in any way difficult to accept, especially when I often found myself in A.A. rooms where I was the only Black person. I felt further inclined to reject my true surrender to God (Step 3) because of the, “I got this,” mentality. Finding myself speaking of God while contrarily relying on my ego and chasing matters of the material world, I believed that where there is a will, there is a plan and a course of action that makes a way.
But in fact, I have experienced that what I was surrendering to along the 12-Step journey was merely my human limitations, unwilling to give the divine Goddess within me a chance to lead. I am so grateful that my efforts, while impressive to myself, failed me at some point and I lived to tell this story. Because the Power that I surrendered to has far greater plans that get better and better as life progresses. The God that I knew was always inside of me needed my ego and material worship to wave the white flag and surrender. Surrender not to anyone or anything outside of myself, but to the restored Power within me; the power of my Creator, my God, my Higher Power.
Today, may we actively pay attention to the relationship to which we surrendered to on Step 3. For those who may be unclear as to what I am talking about – learn more about the program of Spiritual Recovery HERE.
Can you relate? – Daily Reflections (12/6)
Now, or in the days to come, if you can relate to today’s daily reflection shared, feel free to comment below and share your experience. Recovery is possible and happening every day.
The Black Recovery memoir shares a snapshot of my journey Recovering from: alcoholism, my life, myself, and ultimately the fellowship I surrendered to. Read the introduction to Black Recovery HERE.
