The C2C reading for September 25 talks about Step Three. The reading reminds us that we can take this step over and over again and strive to place our will and life in the care of Higher Power's hands.
Once we see that our way does not work, It's only then that we let go and begin to trust the still small voice that gently nudges us in the direction of HP's will. Then life becomes truly fulfilling.
If there's is an area in our lives that we treat as extremely important and too important to turn over to HP, we must ask ourselves if our efforts in this endeavor working.? Occasionally the situation will become too painful and we are forced to submit and put our energy to doing some good
The quote is from Martin Luther; "I have held many things in my hands, and I have lost them all; whatever I placed in God's hand that I still possess."
Every morning I say the 3rd Step prayer and turn my will and life over to HP's care. When I find myself struggling with an issue I quickly remind myself that HP is in control and try to listen for the still small voice within .
This has not always been so and I struggled mightily to take control of my son's recovery out of HP's; hands and discovered that the best I could do was to pray for acceptance , guidance, serenity, courage and wisdom-- and that worked.
Have a great day.
MissM said
Sep 25, 2016
Thanks Betty.
There certainly has been a lot that was 'too important" to turn over to HP and there still is I guess, particularly regarding my child. The urge to analyse and micro-manage is pretty strong, even when it obviously isn't working. Crazy when you consider how much better things work out when I do let go and let my HP deal.
Must remember to apply this to all areas of my life and not just the ones that "matter less"!!!
a4l said
Sep 25, 2016
Thank you Betty for this ever timely reminder. Handing my will over was unthinkable and it bought me to my knees where I skidded along not knowing why my will was less effective than others or so it seemed.
Today I see it very differently and am very grateful life bought me back to alanon. Thank you for your service beautiful lady.
Iamhere said
Sep 25, 2016
Thank you Betty for your service, the daily and your ESH....I know it took me a long while to break the habits of old - fox hold praying when things got intensely ugly. It took me even longer still to do Step 3 each morning with purpose and intent and to revisit through out the day as needed. My serenity and joy are much better and easier to hold on to when I proactively recall each morning who is really in charge of things, and that it's not me.
I agree this was especially hard with children. With another adult, my brain was able to say, I can turn them over and they can be lead by their own HP - they are adults and have the training/knowledge to get to the right path. I had huge doubts when it came to my boys as I feared I had failed them in my own teachings and had guilt and shame when I considered turning them over. I had to accept that turning them over to HP wasn't a discard but instead a gentle placement from my hands to his.
My brain still considers my will often as a first response to so many situations. I agree that using pause and recalling who I give my will to helps me consider how I can be of service and then respond accordingly. Sometimes, the best answer is just prayer for another or for HP's will in their life.
Happy Sunday - off to a meeting in a bit, birthday party for the grand-babies and softball this evening/tonight. Someplace in this day is also some Sunday football! Light rain here and cooler temperatures - beautiful that fall has finally arrived! Make it a great day!
Enigmatic said
Sep 25, 2016
I really like ML's quote; so true. There is a version of that I like that asks how much sand you can hold in one hand when you try to grab it tightly, vs keeping your hand open. This one is even better for reminding me of how much more effective it is to turn it over to my higher power...there is no limit to what I can offload!
Thank you Betty, and all...such a great reminder
DavidG said
Sep 25, 2016
Hmmm... maybe I thought I had better hand it over on Sundays... or Fridays, or Saturdays for other religious traditions.
Then for me about every day... and then all of the time. It helps me to see Hp working in the lives of others, and then i can apply it to myself.
Just b4 grandson breezed in looking for the lazy susan. We could not find it in the house so i offered to txt and make enquiries. Ten minutes later I walked around to his place with the blessed thing, and a stray bike helmet.
If there's is an area in our lives that we treat as extremely important and too important to turn over to HP, we must ask ourselves if our efforts in this endeavor working.? Occasionally the situation will become too painful and we are forced to submit and put our energy to doing some good
The quote is from Martin Luther; "I have held many things in my hands, and I have lost them all; whatever I placed in God's hand that I still possess."
There certainly has been a lot that was 'too important" to turn over to HP and there still is I guess, particularly regarding my child. The urge to analyse and micro-manage is pretty strong, even when it obviously isn't working. Crazy when you consider how much better things work out when I do let go and let my HP deal.
Must remember to apply this to all areas of my life and not just the ones that "matter less"!!!
I agree this was especially hard with children. With another adult, my brain was able to say, I can turn them over and they can be lead by their own HP - they are adults and have the training/knowledge to get to the right path. I had huge doubts when it came to my boys as I feared I had failed them in my own teachings and had guilt and shame when I considered turning them over. I had to accept that turning them over to HP wasn't a discard but instead a gentle placement from my hands to his.
My brain still considers my will often as a first response to so many situations. I agree that using pause and recalling who I give my will to helps me consider how I can be of service and then respond accordingly. Sometimes, the best answer is just prayer for another or for HP's will in their life.
Happy Sunday - off to a meeting in a bit, birthday party for the grand-babies and softball this evening/tonight. Someplace in this day is also some Sunday football! Light rain here and cooler temperatures - beautiful that fall has finally arrived! Make it a great day!
Thank you Betty, and all...such a great reminder
Hmmm... maybe I thought I had better hand it over on Sundays... or Fridays, or Saturdays for other religious traditions.
Then for me about every day... and then all of the time. It helps me to see Hp working in the lives of others, and then i can apply it to myself.
Just b4 grandson breezed in looking for the lazy susan. We could not find it in the house so i offered to txt and make enquiries. Ten minutes later I walked around to his place with the blessed thing, and a stray bike helmet.
Our Hp works wonders when we learn to stay still!
Thanks Betty, gr8 topic...
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