“Helping others is the foundation stone of your recovery. A kindly act once in a while isn’t enough. You have to act the Good Samaritan every day, if need be.” ~ Page 97, Alcoholics Anonymous
When I share my recovery story with someone who genuinely wants to get sober, I’m effectively opening a window of honesty into my heart. “This is who I used to be, this is how I used to live, and this is how my life is today.” Afterward and without fail, someone will pay me the greatest compliment I could possibly receive:
“Wow! You look nothing like your story!”
For sure. The story of my life was indeed trending quickly to that of an unspeakable tragedy; I was utterly that hopeless. But God has given me a second chance. Not only has He liberated me from the bondage of alcoholism, but He gives me the opportunity to share this same hope and freedom with others who desperately want it. No greater testimony of God’s grace and mercy exists than when He restores the broken and transforms the helpless into helpers.
I sometimes get asked, “Why do you go to so many recovery meetings after all this time? Are you still afraid that you might drink again?”
Although I’m not “cured,” not really. I go because I might meet someone new who is currently where I once was – hopeless, desperate, and helpless. I extend my hand and offer them a warm welcome, letting them know that they’re not alone and that I’m there to help.
This is what others did for me. With an overwhelming sense of gratitude to God for the life I have today, I get to celebrate my sobriety by sharing my experience, strength, and hope with another suffering alcoholic. Few things are more fulfilling in my life today than helping others get sober and seeing them recover a good life.
My reward isn’t just seeing lives change, but through that process – I stay sober, too.
Former Blackout Artist 