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Daily Reflections: Shortcomings Removed

But now the words "Of myself I am nothing, the Father doeth the works" began to carry bright promise and meaning.
— TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS, p. 75When I put the Seventh Step into action I must remember that there are no blanks to fill in. It doesn't say, "Humbly asked Him to (fill in the blank) remove our shortcomings." For years, I filled in the imaginary blank with "Help me!" "Give me the courage to," and "Give me the strength," etc. The Step says simply that God will remove my shortcomings. The only footwork I must do is "humbly ask," which for me means asking with the knowledge that of myself I am nothing, the Father within "doeth the works."
This one is profound.  It goes back to one of the things we read daily in AA.  God will do for us the things we can not.  My own strength is nothing. My willpower is nothing.  The only hope I have to accomplish anything worthwhile in this life is to let God be my strength.  He will do for me all the things I cannot do for myself if I seek him humbly.
This promise gives hope and motivation.  I'm tackling step three in a few short days and will begin the long, ugly, and frightening task of step for soon.  I am emboldened by the knowledge that God will remove my shortcomings. I look forward to the day where my honesty is complete, and my actions and my words align in all aspects of my life.

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