Finding Acceptance in the Unacceptable…
It may be one of the most quoted passages in literature. It’s from Page 449 (first 3 editions, pg. 417 in the 4th edition) of Alcoholics Anonymous or The Big Book as it is widely known:
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And acceptance is the answer to all my problems today. When I am disturbed, it is because I find some person, place, thing or situation — some fact of my life — unacceptable to me, and I can find no serenity until I accept that person, place, thing or situation as being exactly the way it is supposed to be at this moment.
Nothing, absolutely nothing happens in God’s world by mistake. Until I could accept my alcoholism, I could not stay sober; unless I accept life completely on life’s terms, I cannot be happy. I need to concentrate not so much on what needs to be changed in the world as on what needs to be changed in me and in my attitudes.
Now….I don’t know or have a CLUE about what God’s purpose was in losing a very dear friend this week, so early, or another very dear friend it looks like I am going to lose this week as well. But, if I can accept that God has a plan in this it helps me.
I had the pleasure of meeting Dr. Paul O and his wife Max before they both died. Paul said he had MANY people call and yell at him about this quote from his story. And I am CERTAIN that he NEVER anticipated that it would be quoted as it is! He said that he did NOT mean to say that the unconditionally loving God of his understanding was out to punish people and meant for bad to happen in the world. He just knew, from his own life and his own experience that if he could accept what happened, that God would use those circumstances to help him and others.
I believe, personally, that when we were given ‘free will’ to make our own decisions it was a true gift. But other people’s ability to make ‘free will decisions’ often impacts us. I don’t think God decided to kill a bunch of people on 9/11 and made the terrorists hijack planes. But, I believe that he gave THEM free will and it impacted and changed much of what America is today. At the same time, those whose lives were most impacted, if they looked for God’s will in that moment for themselves, found strength and hope and meaning in what transpired.
Look God’s meaning in the unacceptable in your lives. Accepting it as it is today will begin to bring you freedom. Acceptance can be the answer to all of your problems, this day.
Remember today that you are loved. You are NOT alone. God will take whatever burdens you have, and if you can accept it, will help you to be better in the midst of it. I don’t know how yet. But I just know. God loves you and so do I…
