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Daily Reflection: We Become Welcoming

WE BECOME WILLING . . .
At the moment we are trying to put our lives in order. But this is not an end in itself.
— ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS, p. 77
How easily I can become misdirected in approaching the Eighth Step! I wish to be free, somehow transformed by my Sixth and Seventh Step work. Now, more than ever, I am vulnerable to my own self-interest and hidden agenda. I am careful to remember that self-satisfaction, which sometimes comes through the spoken forgiveness of those I have harmed, is not my true objective. I become willing to make amends, knowing that through this process I am mended and made fit to move forward, to know and desire God's will for me.
God has been grabbing my attention and shaking me out of my doldrums this last week.  I've always said He speaks to me through the people around me, but this week He has has been speaking through the words I read as well as conversations.
I was joking around with my training partner this morning.  He said his diet is hurting because of trips with his girlfriend and hanging out with friends.  I jokingly said "Do what I do and just don't have friends."  I was 100% kidding.  The truth is I used to do that.  I limited my world because I was not happy with who I was as a person, a man, a father, a Christian, etc.
The funny thing is, without even trying, I have become welcoming. I am making friends as easily at business meetings as I am at AA meetings, the gym, the boxing gym, or even dance halls. The more I forgive myself and get rid of the shame and and guilt I imposed on myself, the more I am content to be in my own company.  The irony is, the more content I am with me, the more people want to hang out with me.
I'm doing my best to put my life in order, but in so doing, I am becoming the type of man others want to hang out with. I am becoming the type of person who wants to help others WITHOUT expecting anything in return.
Someone I care about very deeply once told me I do the right things but for the wrong reasons.  I feel like I'm slowly starting to do the right thing for the right reason - because it is what God would have me do.
Heavenly Father, thank you for removing the scales from my eyes daily. Thank you for the opportunity to make a difference in my community. Thank you for caring for my needs and giving me opportunities each day to serve You. Thank you for the gift of the Holy Spirit.

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