This Sunday I'll have the privilege of seeing the 12th Step in action. That's when my sponsor, Ralph H., speaks at my home group at 1045 E. Main in Mesa at 10:30 a.m. on the anniversary of his 49th year of sobriety.
The 12th step says, "Having had a spiritual awakening as a result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to alcoholics and to practice these principles in all our affairs."This man is a great example of how this step works. He's always available to those who need an explanation of how the steps work. And he's particularly effective because he's able to express himself with a touch of humor and a lot of humility. When anyone seeks a sponsor he never turns them down.
I know this because he's been my sponsor for around 25 years. In fact, when I first met him, he was the director of the detoxification unit I went into when I first became sober in 1991.
Some seven years after I left that unit I asked him to become my sponsor. And he's been there for me since.
On my seventh birthday he told me something I've never forgotten. He said "You think this is as good as it gets, but it gets better." At the time I had everything a man could want: job, home, savings, all the blessings from the promises. I couldn't imagine how life could get better.
But it turns out he was right. Life has gotten better. And it's because I've been able to grow spiritually - to become a better human being.
And it's all due to a sponsor who's been patient and loving with me. And I respect him because at 89 years of age he's still carrying the message to alcoholics.
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