“God has become a living force in our lives.”

– Life with Hope, third edition, page 45

I was skeptical when I first was introduced to the Twelve Steps. Reference to God and a Higher Power made me leery and suspicious. Had it not been for permission to choose a version of God of my own understanding, I’m afraid that I may have remained trapped in my addiction. At first I used nature as evidence of a power greater than myself. Finally, I realized that I’m simply not capable of really understanding God. At the same time, I firmly believe in God. I don’t have to understand God to believe in God. It’s become abundantly clear that turning my will and my life over to this ambiguous Higher Power has set me free. Having the “obsession to use” lifted almost seems miraculous.

Final thought: Growing along spiritual lines continues to provide rewards “beyond calculation.” I am forever grateful, to God, to the fellowship and the MA program for helping me to pursue the path of the Twelve Steps.