I recently found myself telling my story of sobriety to
people I just met. Why did I do this? I was surprised to hear myself talking about
what happened to me. Was I self -centered and narcissistic? Then I realized that grace has become such a
part of me that there is no other way to help people understand who I am. The thing that happened to me is big and it
is life changing and it wasn’t done through my own efforts. Sobriety is the
thing about me that stands out as a life accomplishment and yet it is not my
own accomplishment. I only maintain and communicate
the miracle that has happened. Even that
is not done by my own efforts. My deliverance from alcohol is a declaration of
independence. It is a flag of surrender and a flag of freedom. It is a billboard and it is a commercial for
truth and hope. Here is why it is important to tell others my story or finding
sobriety; repeating the miracle breeds more faith and assurance that it is not
me, but God who does this great work. It is important that I see it as an
ongoing miracle. It is daily vital truth
that I am weak and He is strong. It is an anchor of hope for the future, and a
lighthouse to guide the way to safety. As
we former drunks tell our story, we ourselves gain more insight about how
miraculous it is to achieve and maintain recovery. We must pass that on. There was a time that it was impossible to be
without alcohol, and now we miraculously and sometimes effortlessly go through
our days without remembering the amazing transformation. It certainly helps others who are still
struggling to hear our stories of success, and to know that God lifts people
out of the dump and restores life. I cannot
take the credit for what He did, but passing on the miracle is my charge.