As most people in recovery know, A.A. was the original 12-step fellowship. After A.A. came G.A. (Gamblers Anonymous). Shortly thereafter came O.A. (Overeaters Anonymous). In O.A. there is an expression that says "Don't leave before the miracle happens." This is very good advice because the miracles do show up if we are willing to see them.
A lot of us are able to recognize miracles in our fellows in terms of their stunning transformations from being helpless addicts to being productive, peaceful and sober members of society. In Chapter One of the "Big Book", Bill Wilson tells about his exhausting journey through the hell of active alcoholism and the miracle that lead him out of it. As Bill tells it, his friend, Ebby (another hopeless drunk) came to visit him when Bill was as low as he had ever been. Bill speaks of Ebby's transformation into a sober man, referring to Ebby as a "miracle." Bill was a hopeless alcoholic by anyone's definition, and so was Ebby. But that day Ebby was sober...happy... free! If Ebby was truly sober and peaceful about it, then Bill had to recognize Ebby's sobriety as the miracle it was.
Have you witnessed any miracles in recovery? Describe them in the silence of your mind. Have you experienced a miracle of your own? If not, don't leave before the miracle happens!
God bless you!
Barbara J.
