JUSTINA MEMORIAL FOUNDATION (bottom photo)
I must say that this is probably my most favorite step out of all of the 12 steps that I have taught in the Addiction Recovery Program. This step is like the icing on the cake for an Addict because he or she has come to the point of being forgiven of their sins, had taken the steps to make restitution to all of those they have harmed, and these things by themselves must feel like 100 lb. weights have been lifted off of each of their shoulders. This also means that they have felt the Spirit of the Lord and have learned to acknowledge the Lords hand in their lives. They now understand that Heavenly Father knows and loves them and wants to be there for them and will be as they kneel in prayer and keep Heavenly Father a part of their lives.
This step 12 is the Service Step. It is the step that is for me and for everyone else, the "Feel Good Step." What I mean by that is that when we are serving others, it simply recharges our batteries on feeling good. It feels good to do something for someone else. It feels good to know that we are helping others. It feels good to know that we no longer participate in our Addictive behaviors and have found that by going out and doing something for someone else, relieves our minds of wanting to indulge in addiction, ever. It may seem sort of selfish to think of it in these terms, but how long has it been for you to really feel good, and clean and forgiven of your sins and indiscretions? You deserve to feel good because you have lost your desire to do what you know you shouldn't and you are taking the steps that will draw you closer to your Heavenly Father. You deserve a pat on the back and a huge hug, because so many are so proud of you.
Overcoming Addiction is a huge and long and drawn out process. It isn't something that just happens overnight. For most with addiction they come to understand that though they have overcome the need and desire for their addiction, it will always be there, and so will Satan to tempt them and try to draw them back into their old ways. Some people fall but those who hold fast to all that they have learned in these 12 steps and know how much better they feel inside and out, they will be the winners.
This whole world is like a Cinderella land in that seemingly individuals who appear to be losing the battle, can become winners... each and every day. Remember the story about how Cinderella slipped her foot into the glass slipper and found the prince of her dreams? Well that didn't happen until she had gone through some pretty rough times and some pretty serious struggles. Cinderella gave service for abuse, and love for hate, but Cinderella was a loser who became a winner. How does this relate to Step 12? Addiction is a disease that drags us down into the depths of despair. Addicts do things that they fell like they have to do to support their habit. But one day when they are at a point when they know that something must be done, they give up their will to the Higher power, which is our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. They pull themselves up by the boot straps, and reach out to those who can help them. They begin to understand that their situation isn't something that can't be changed. There is a light at the end of the tunnel, or relating to the Cinderella story... there is a glass slipper out there and there is also someone eager for you to find it.
Cinderella elevated herself out of the seemingly hopeless situation and found the prince her dreams. She lived happily ever after. What I think we can learn from this story is that all things are possible, and even when we are having a difficult time, if we give service to others, that will lift our spirits and the hearts of others. Service is a way of contributing to the betterment of others. We can give service in our own families, our church, and in our community. Service is a way of saying thank you to Jesus Christ for his atoning sacrifice that made it possible to be forgiven of our sins.
What a tremendous glass slipper we have been offered, and when we slip our foot inside and embrace this gift we feel so much better, and that is the way it was intended. When the Lord sent us to earth, he didn't intend for us to be miserable, he wanted us to be happy. He provided us with beauty all around us in nature, in our friends, and our families, our faith and church, and gave each of us talents to use and develop and find joy in this life.
It is my testimony the "When ye are in the service of your fellow beings, ye are only in the service of your God." I pray that you will find the joy in giving of yourself in the service of others, thereby showing your gratitude to the Lord.
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