Wisdom For Today - May

[bluidkiti]

May 27

Wisdom for Today

The most valuable lessons we learn in the program come from practical experience, and one way in which we can receive this kind of experience is through working with others. I can't count the number of times I have been talking with someone else in the program and words will come out of my mouth that I need to listen to. There I am talking with a new-comer about his anger and resentment and listen to these words about self-centered fear come out of my mouth. Yes, it becomes obvious to me that the real reason he is unhappy and angry or resentful is because he is not getting what he wants. This thinking is coming from self-centered fear. Then as I talk about how this was true for me, I begin to realize that some current frustration in my life is caused by the same type of thinking.
The words coming from my mouth are meant as much for me as the new-comer. Over time I have really come to appreciate these experiences and see the true value in helping others. When I reach out to others I am really helping myself. I have come to believe that there is nothing else that can so much insure our sobriety than helping others. But there are steps to doing this properly. First and foremost, I believe that whenever we work with others, we should first reach out to our Higher Power and ask for His direction of our thoughts. We also ask that He remove any selfish desire in our effort. Then we trust Him to lead our words and actions. When we do this, we find that we gain credibility with our peers. We find that they are open to listening to the words we share. We find too that God often times works through us not only to help the new-comer, but also ourselves. In each of these interchanges we gain practical experience. Do I use my Higher Power as a guide when I reach out to help others?

Meditations for the Heart

Breathe in the Spirit, and you will be filled with goodness and truth. For if we are but willing, then the Spirit will fill our every need. In breathing in this Spirit, we find selfishness and hate are exhaled and replaced with generosity and love. But we must accept these gifts; for in breathing in the Spirit, we also breathe in the power of choice. We are given the option to accept or reject these gifts. We can choose to close our hearts, or we can graciously open them up to our Higher Power. In opening our hearts, we do not know what God may choose to fill us with; but we trust that in Him all things are good. He did not make us like robots who only follow orders; instead He granted us free will. Even though the Spirit is willing to fill us up with His good gifts, we still have the power to reject what he offers. Am I willing to accept the good gifts from my Higher Power?

Petitions to my Higher Power

God,
In this day, let me be filled with your Spirit and accept whatever gifts I am granted. Help me to be open to seeing the gifts I am offered each and every day. Let me also be open to sharing these gifts with others as the opportunity may arise. Grant me wisdom to learn from these practical experiences each day.
Amen