Don G. Dinsdale Loc: El Cajon, CA (San Diego County)

How beautiful it is to do nothing, and then rest afterward. ------ Spanish proverb

The beauty of the Third Step is that there's no real work for us to do. Making a decision to turn our will and our life over to the care of God requires no real exerted energy, no physical movement. We don't have to grit our teeth ....... ( but sometimes we do, because of fear or uncertainty !! ). But the t***h is :

It is only a decision and can be made in the blink of an eye. The action is the making the decision itself, & then living with it by conviction afterwards. The rest then comes from God.

We don't need to do anything to earn the Grace of God. In fact, there isn't any way we could earn it. This Grace is ours when we let it come to us. Trusting God's love for us is all it takes.

I will rest knowing that my life is in God's hands. I now know that I am covered in Grace by Grace !!.

Rufus Loc: Deep South

Amen. It is wonderful to know we are never alone. I love to go to Him. I depend on Him. I need Him when struggling or in pain and I thank Him when all seems well. What a blessing it is to have His grace and to know that no matter how much I screw up He loves me and wants to help. I know I am powerless without Him. He also provides others like me to help me grow and we give each other strength because of His power. :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:

Don G. Dinsdale Loc: El Cajon, CA (San Diego County)

Keep Punching... Duck Once In a While Too... Don D.

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Rufus Loc: Deep South

:thumbup: You know people will say, " no one put a gun to your head. " Once at a Christmas party I asked for a coke. I was given a Jack Black and coke. I tipped it down, realized it and never mentioned it to my ex wife. Of course I had a few more. Another time at the beach my step dad and I were moving my girlfriend. It was hot. I was drinking cold water. We had identical glasses. I turned up the glass and guzzled it down only to discover at the bottom it was his vodka and melted ice. Yes, by God, accidents can and do happen. But I admit most of the time we decide to take the first drink. The biggest problem in my life is getting that drink with little or no thought about the consequences. I must drill it into myself to play the whole tape before drinking. And like you said, don't even if my ass falls off.

Don G. Dinsdale Loc: El Cajon, CA (San Diego County)

That's Exactly Why In My Early Years of AA I Ask For Seven Up (Clear) And I Could Smell The Vodka or Gin in The Seven Up, I also made sure everyone knew I Couldn't drink, most knew that because They were long time friends and Knew I was a drunk...


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Rufus Loc: Deep South

:thumbup: Good thinking. I have experienced many good years of sobriety in AA. I have also been sober because of church or job and family, but always with God's help. I have also had dry drunks and many slips. What I love about AA is the fellowship. Not so much with many of the younger groups today. I am selective. Some of the younger groups don't like to here God mentioned and almost have a fit if someone claims Jesus Christ as their higher power. But I am older and don't give a damn. I am going to say what I want and that's that on that. The only requirement is a desire to not drink. The beauty of it is anyone can get help if they simply show up long enough.

Don G. Dinsdale Loc: El Cajon, CA (San Diego County)

No one can b***h if you are SHARING Your Experience Straight and Hope!!!

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Rufus Loc: Deep South

Amen. :thumbup:

PZG1225 Loc: Florida

Beautiful! :thumbup: :thumbup:

AuntiE Loc: 45th Least Free State

Isiah 41:10 might be a good verse to keep at the forefront of your thoughts.