A Word of Encouragement...

“God removes shortcomings by mobilizing people to do what they need to do to fix their problems.”

-Terence T. Gorski, Understanding the Twelve Steps

The one true thing I know about the Seventh Step is that the removal of shortcomings is mysterious and can be miraculous. I hear stories from men and women who have experienced miraculous and instantaneous removal of shortcomings, cravings, and even their addiction.

This is not my story. My story is one small next right step at a time, with lots of side trips and detours along the way. But progress is still a miracle even if it comes slowly and takes vacations at inopportune moments.

The Serenity Prayer speaks to this work, especially the work of this step:

God grant me the serenity

I cannot control my own emotional state. When I am freaked out, insecure, neurotic and emotional I am not able to lean into my recovery program with much effectiveness. I pray for serenity and follow any suggestion that comes from a reliable source about how to reduce chaos and increase calm (so long as said advice is not illegal or immoral.

to accept the things I cannot change,

There are many things that I want to change that are none of my business. My husband. My children. My circumstances. My next door neighbor who never cuts his grass. But these are not mine to do. Instead I pray for acceptance and a heaping dose of awareness of what is mine to do - and what is not.

the courage to change the things I can,

It is easier to focus on others than myself. I pray for the courage to tell the truth about myself to myself, God and others. Although I am often harsh with myself, I find that others and God are teaching me kindness: kindness towards myself and kindness towards others. When I forget to choose kindness, I am resisting the mercy of God. But when I can find kindness, lo and behold - energy for changing what I can is provided.

and the wisdom to know the difference.

Wisdom. It is a big word and I pray for it to wash over me. When I recognize it, wisdom usually shows up as a quiet inner knowing; nothing grand; certainly nothing grandiose. But beautiful in her simplicity and clarity. May the God of your understanding guide you into all wisdom, courage, acceptance and joy.

A Meditation Moment

We are almost finished completing our meditation through the Serenity Prayer. Breathe on this…

God [pause], I Trust that you will make all things right if I surrender to your will [pause]...

Breathe and consider your willingness to trust. Ask God to help you in your unbelief.

And then….conclude: “Help me in my unbelief!”

As with most things, we are both/and. We believe. We doubt. This does not make us double-minded, which is not recommended. It makes us honest about our complexity. In truth, knowing that we desperately believe and we have doubts indicates that we have something else going for us that is super important: we tell the truth about ourselves. We are humble enough to recognize that we are not always consistent in living faithfully.

A Meditation Moment

There are various versions of the Serenity Prayer, and various attributions as to the author (Reinhold Niebuhr is a popular guess). Today we will continue with the longer version.

God [pause]

Living one day at a time [pause], Enjoying one moment at a time [pause], Accepting hardship as a pathway to peace [pause], Taking, as Jesus did, this sinful world as it is, not as I would have it [pause]

What will today bring? Consider living it well, wisely, with gratitude. Breathe.

A Meditation Moment

A few days ago we took a meditation moment and breathed through the first part of the Serenity Prayer. God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change… Today - we continue…

God [pause]

Grant me the courage [pause]

To change the things I can…[pause]

Ponder courage - what do you need to be courageous about? What things can you change? Allow your mind to gently ponder this as you breathe.

Meditation Moment- The Serenity Prayer

One of the absolutely best ways to foster belief and transformation is establishing a daily practice that includes: silence, solitude, and stillness. Not great at any of those? Let’s practice! The Serenity Prayer is a common prayer in Twelve-Step programs and a useful a daily practice. Start today with this prayer. Sit with these words for a few minutes.

God grant me the serenity

to accept the things I cannot change,

the courage to change the things I can,

and the wisdom to know the difference.

All you need to practice the three S’s is to repeat this prayer, breathe in and out, and be still. Try it!