May 16

REFLECTION FOR TODAY
What does it really mean when I say in Step Six, "Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character"? It means I have to stop struggling, remembering I admitted my powerlessness in Step One, and put the responsibility for the removal of my character defects into the hands of God. Am I then supposed to just sit idly by, waiting, "twiddling my thumbs"? Certainly not. I have a responsibility, too. My part, however, is not to enter into the struggle again, but to become increasingly aware of the reality and presence of God in my life. To prepare myself for this, I have to spend some time each day alone with my Higher Power in quiet prayer and meditation. This daily discipline is my assignment.

MEDITATION FOR TODAY
May Your presence in my life become ever more real to me, and may I open myself daily to Your guidance.

TODAY I WILL REMEMBER
The struggle is not mine; I put it in God's hands. My part is to draw nearer to God.

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January 9

REFLECTION FOR TODAY
I came to believe that God has a sense of humor and did not hold my defects against me. We could both laugh at the fix I was in. Like a kitten tangled in yarn, if I stopped struggling, God would gradually get me untangled. I needed to stop struggling, which would become "entirely ready," as the Sixth Step suggests. Even as I prayed that all my defects of character be removed, I found myself thinking I was not yet able to be rid of certain ones. What would I do without this bad habit? How would I spend my time? That was the time to surrender - over and over.

MEDITATION FOR TODAY
God, please help me to deal with the character defects which brought me to my bottom.
Remind me to continuously work the steps with enthusiastic effort, which is the way to become ready.

TODAY I WILL REMEMBER
God has the power to change my life.

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December 6

REFLECTION FOR TODAY
My defects of character cannot be removed by my willpower. I have spent the better part of my life trying to combat these shortcomings. I have grown frustrated and anxious in the process. Step Seven says, "You have done your work in Steps Four and Five; now let go and let God. Just humbly ask for your shortcomings to be removed." As the steps suggest, relax. I can now start to live a less anxious life. I can also start being more spontaneous and put my worries and emotional problems into the hands of the Higher Power.

MEDITATION FOR TODAY
May the faith I have obtained in the first steps of the program stay with me and help me to now complete Steps Six and Seven.

TODAY I WILL REMEMBER
Today I will relax my mind and body and truly accept that my Higher Power will remove my shortcomings at the right time.

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