Step 12:   Having had a spiritual awakening as a result of the steps,
we tried to carry this message to others and to practice
these principles in all our affairs.

December 29

Recommended reading: Luke 16, 17, 18

It was a conversation I didn’t think I had time to get into. I was standing in a long line waiting for a flu shot, and the guy behind me wanted to chat. I got the impression he didn’t get out much. He recognized my face from the television show that NorthStar Community produces, and he seemed intent on giving me a hard time. Oh well. It was a long line. I decided to relax.

“And another thing you do that really bugs me is the way you talk about community.”

“Yeah? Tell me more.”

“Well, you know, you make it sound like if we don’t have a community of people that we hang with, we’re missing out. Listen, little lady, I used to go to church. What a bunch of hypocrites! I suppose you’re going to tell me that your place is different.”

“No, I can’t say that it is. We’re messy as can be. Just this week I heard yet another story of how one person in our community got their feelings hurt by someone else. Now, these two people aren’t speaking. It’s a terrible mess.”

That slowed him down. “Yeah, well, you’re probably going to do something about that, aren’t you? That’s what you minister types do—meddle. You’ll make everybody kiss and make up, right?”

I laughed. “Are you kidding me? I thought you said you watched our show every week.”

“I do. There’s nothing else any better on, so I just stick it out until football comes on.”

“Well, surely you can tell from our crowd that they’re a bunch of independent thinkers. I wouldn’t dare try to get in the middle of a good brawl. I’m getting too old for that sort of thing.”

“Hmmph. I bet you’ll send some deacon over there to fuss at them, and if they don’t straighten up, you’ll kick them out of the church, right?”

Wow. I had no idea I was going to enjoy this so much! “Ha. You’re too funny! If we kicked out everybody who acted badly in our community, none of us would show up on Saturday nights and Sunday mornings. Frankly, this is such a big problem that I don’t know what to do about it.”

“Well, you certainly sound like you know what to do on that show of yours.”

“Oh. You can’t believe everything you hear on TV. Our television producer must do more editing than I thought.” I felt a little disappointed when I had to ditch this conversation for an appointment with a needle.

Thought for today: We ask you—urge is more like it—that you keep on doing what we told you to do to please God, not in a dogged religious plod, but in a living, spirited dance. God wants you to live a pure life. 1 Thessalonians 4:1-3 (The Message)

Thought for tomorrow: While you’re making that list of New Year’s resolutions don’t forget that it isn’t about figuring out some way to be perfect; it’s so much more about dancing with God, allowing Him to lead you through the messes. If we get confused and think a pure life equals a life with no boo boo’s, we’re barking up the wrong tree.

December 29
Teresa McBean

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