Thankful for Progress...Sometimes quickly...sometimes slowly...

I am nearing the end of my 23rd year of continuous sobriety.  So much has changed in these years.  My ideas, my dreams, my beliefs, my vision.  In the beginning, it was parenting two teenagers with a new mindset (having had a psychic change as a result of the Steps) they were a little annoyed that their unconscious mother was now suddenly aware of everything they were up to...still in denial about their drugs...but getting a new vibe when they were explaining where they wanted to go and what they were planning to do.  All cover up stories...very much their mother's children. By God's grace and mercy they made it to adulthood and are sober...amazing people.  Its very cool to be on this side of that parenting thing...


Also, my relationship with God went from me bossing around Him around to this place of marvel and awe and experiencing His great favor and expansive love for me.  I am daily aware of His skill in relationship building.  Its because love is at His core.  It is His nature and transcends the petty perspectives of self-centered offenses.  One of the areas we all struggle in is relationships.  I have made my mess of things and watched others make theirs. I have experienced some pretty painful relationship situations and not always handled things well. But what I want for myself is a greater portion of God's kind of love where "a deal is a deal."  I see His utter inability to abandon His commitments motivates Him to stay in it with me for the eternity kind of long haul.  I want this for my life...and the Steps provide the tools for it to happen.  In the 12x12 I learn that whenever I'm disturbed its because I have a problem with the way I am looking at things.  I love to cast the problem on others or circumstances (blaming), but the fact is...it is about me.  Another thing I witness is a resistance to finding one's own part.  Pride will always stand in the way of seeing how I "stepped on the toes on another" and experienced their "retaliation."

As a Jesus girl, I have to listen to his words when he says "if your sister has something against you, leave your gift at the altar and go and make amends with them"  He wants us to take care of people issues before we move in prayer and meditation.  He's not having any of it until an attempt is made to clean things up.  For all of it to work - I have to follow the directions.

As my birthday approaches I am grateful.  I pray my next year and many after are rich in humility with the capacity to say, "our friendship is suffering and I see my part.  It is this...and I am sorry."  I pray I am able to hurdle resentment and bitterness with light feet "shod with the Gospel of Grace."  I pray I can grow above my own self-centered perspective and be truly free.

No matter if I walk this path gracefully or falling on my face, I'm committed to it and today it is good to be me.

Living Authentically and Truthfully...

My friend Jennifer and I attend a Bible study and our topic this go round is on Friendships. We have been asked to describe the qualities we want in our friends.  Of many great characteristics, these two came up:  a) I don't want to be judged, and b) I want my friends to hold me accountable.  Jennifer and I pondered this - Can you be held accountable without feeling judged?    

So then, if not judgment, what would motivate someone who loves us speak up about an action or a behavior that is troubling, dangerous or harmful?  The loss of relationship.

When one of us goes off the path (which we all have done, do and will do), there is incredible tension for those on the path.  Today, God illuminated the reason for my angst in such situations.  I am observant then worried.  I say “I see where you are going and I can’t go there with you.  So I’m going to confront you and say, “This is so dangerous. There is so much at risk. Please turn back."  So what feels like judgment is actually love that sees outcomes you can't at the moment see.  

As most of us know, these efforts are messy and so difficult, but I have learned that speaking from fear is even messier!!  I will speak up again if God asks me to, but in a wiser way that says, I love you and I am afraid for you.  I’ll be here for you when you are back on this path.  And even if you never make it back to my path…I will always love you and want the very best for you.    

I hate having my covers pulled but what I dislike more is having others co-sign my errant thinking or ideas or thoughts that are contrary to who I am becoming as a sober, functional member of this life.  Please my friends don't ever hesitate to ask me about something that seems out of character to who I otherwise am...

Fight or Flight...Is There a Third Choice?

They say that when we are threatened we default to two instinctive choices...we have to decide to stay and fight or turn and run like crazy.  If I am threatened by a bear and decide to fight it, well...just a very bad idea.  If I try to run, it will most likely chase me.  A bear is very fast on its feet and I will find my self at fight anyway. There is a third choice and that is to lay down on the ground and play dead.

When it comes to my life conflicts, I have stood and fought, many times.  I rarely win. Even when I win, I have lost something.  I have also had to run like the wind to escape even myself at times.  But I like the third choice in so many instances.  Its the equivalent of standing down.  Surrendering or submitting my perspective.  This is a choice to delay a response long enough to formulate a sound, self-honoring response to the threat. 

The gift of this third choice is that i don't have to resolve the issue THIS MINUTE.  It gives me a chance to really consider what it is I need to do or say.  And, what seems so important in the moment is so often long forgotten within a short period of time.

Love does not take offense.  This is what God says.  And what I like most about this is my spiritual life empowers me to accurately weigh the value of my position, to see things in the light of His grace, and to resolve my conflicts with love and respect.   Even when telling my truth might be hard for others to hear at least my words are not pumped with adrenaline...

Standing in Grace

The Weight of Judging

We have no idea the power of our influence over others.  We do hear parenting principles like, "if you call your child stupid enough times, they will begin to believe they are."  Its relatively simple for people to recognize or hear their words and intellectually curb this.  But when we hold attitudes and expectations over others as we decide for them what they "should" or "must" or "need" to be doing, thinking or wanting, we are disabling them just the same.  The attitude or perspective of disapproval, criticism or displeasure over others serves to move the object of your affection in an adverse direction.

If we want to see those we love move in a constructive way, here are a couple of things to consider:

• speak belief into their lives.  "You are smart, you are creative.  You will figure this out." 
• be a champion of their potential.  "I am going to stand on the sidelines and encourage with prayer and positive observations."
• wait for a question.  "I am not going to interfere. If you need something from me, ask. I am there for you."  

Love is sacrificial.  It means sitting our our hands and waiting on God.  Hard to do I know.  But, oh so effective."