FAITH MONTH: DAY 18: “Wait on the Lord” is a constant refrain in the Psalms, and it is a necessary word, for God often keeps us waiting. He is not in such a hurry as we are, and it is not his way to give more light on the future than we need for action in the present, or to guide us more than one step at a time. When in doubt, do nothing, but continue to wait on God. When action is needed, light will come.”― J.I. Packer
This quote grabbed me because it includes the sentence I heard more than any other in my early recovery from the woman who gave me the best foundation I could have asked for. “When in doubt, do nothing.” I hear this all the time, and repeat it often to newcomers (and members with long-term recovery, too!)
I really have been the most blessed person in the world…today is 34 years since I met you all. That is an amazing thing for me…I did not even want to meet you! And that woman has been an ongoing gift in my life, even though she died in 1994. I hear her voice and have benefited greatly from her wisdom and her recovery. She LOVED this thing! Really, really loved it. And she taught me to love it also. And so many other things. What a gift she will be until I die.
There are quite a few of those kinds of gifts. I have been blessed beyond my wildest dreams with the people who have taught me so well. Not all of you have shown me what I want, but you have taught me, nonetheless.
I have learned to set boundaries with those whose dishonesty and lack of integrity I found alarming and sad. I have learned to walk a different road from some of you who have been cruel, mean and unkind. I have learned to love and accept those who were hateful, prickly and judgmental. I have learned to walk my own road by those who wanted to take credit for my work and my ideas. There have been so many, many gifts.
And I have had some amazing women to sponsor me. Men have taught me as well. But my sponsors have all been women. There were some who taught me that I wanted to dig deeper than they could for the spiritual solutions I seek. There were others whose path I follow to the nth degree because it feels right. There are others I walked away from and yet I learned.
And the women and men I have sponsored…so many! It is always a great gift. I have been horrified and inspired by many, always joyful at your successes and insights; sad when you fall by the wayside or decide to do it your way. There is all kind of recovery for me in knowing you, each of you.
I love the last line in this quote…”When action is needed, light will come.” It has, it will, and it is…I love this life more than I can say!
Dolphin Hug 