Carrying the Message

[Kim68]

Yesterday I arrived at my weekly women's meeting to find we were locked out.? The secretary had not yet arrived. So everyone was just standing outside patiently and I noticed a couple of my friends talking to a woman I didn't know who was very upset.? Apparently she is still in the throes of this awful disease and was interested in attending meetings at our location. However, she stated, everytime she came by she saw only a bunch of guys and was scared off.? This time due to the lock out situation, she saw women standing out front and paused. One of my friends reached out to her and she gratefullly and tearfully joined us. That was the first example of God at work.? Next, we went inside at last and lo and behold, we were on Step 12 this night, which seemed to me was being performed right before me.? Amazing!!! After we read the first half and began a discussion, this poor lady was upset all over again. I think the combo of unexpected kindness,welcoming, and another lady showing up with a little girl, got her going.(She herself has children, girls and she was under the influence to a degree, which we all know, kicks those emotions up a notch) I saw my sponsor and another friend run out after her when she suddenly got up and left.? I was getting a coffee.? I paused, then put done my coffee, hesitated again then went out after them as well.? I had developed a bit of a repoire with the lady outside and I decided to try and help.? I wasn't sure if I should intrude, being new back to sobriety but as my sponsor later said, I didn't lose my previous sober experience,strength or hope and I can still carry the message to another.? Some how God gave me the right words to say to help, especially when the others were losing patience ever so slightly at all the "yeah buts".? My sponsor told me later how proud she was of me and the growth I have shown.? My other friend was equally encouraging. I use a bit of humor in my general speaking too, and apparently it was just right at the time.? I'm happy to see the growth in myself and that others can see it too...and maybe...just maybe...I can carry the message to help someone else.? I will be praying for this lady and as I promised I emailed her last night when I got in. I haven't heard from her yet, but all I can do is leave her in God's hands and hope she comes to the meeting I told her about tonight.? On that note I have to go, I told her I'd watch for her and the meeting starts soon.?

I pray God will continue to use me as an instrument to help another....Kim68

[Carol87]

Oh Kim! That is an awesome testimony of how the program works and how God works through people ... one alcoholic working with another alcoholic! Thank you for sharing!!

[samf]

Am so grateful and glad you shared that...is awesome!!
Said a prayer for her and for you!
Glad you are here, and so glad you shared that!

Samf

[Patsyd1]

Hi Kim,

What a powerful message, thank you for passing it on :)

[saved1]

Action in motion, good example to follow in all of our affairs.:D

[MajestyJo]

How true! It isn't about what we did prior to recovery. It isn't about what we did to stay sober of the years, it is all about today.

I can't rest on my laurels and look at what I have done but what am I doing. Some people have a very narrow outlook, it was their way or the highway.

This is a one day at a time program. I have shared what I have done to show others that I walked my talk, not to brag about what I did. It isn't about me, even if no one goes for help, I stayed sober that day. I would not have the sobriety I have in today, if it was not for service. When I became disabled and unable to go out at night, the internet message boards were my life line. Without it I would not be sober today. If I had stayed in chat rooms, I would have gone and got drunk, but that is me. When I was in pain and couldn't sleep, the boards helped me to get out of self, help others and help me.

I was getting back into the poor mes and the sick and tired of being tired and sick. I was fearful because that was how I felt PRIOR to recovery. I turned it over to my Higher Power and the answer was this site. I wasn't getting what I needed from the other group. I was giving but I wasn't getting back. Very few people were sharing their own personal experience, strength and hope. I don't want to belong to a gossip rag, I want to belong to a recovery group. I have left f2f groups and changed sponsors for the same reason.

As they say, the 5 As of change for me are Awareness, Admittance, Acceptance, Attitude and Action. I often had to change my attitude so I could take action. Other times, I had to take action, so I could change my attitude.