Two things a person could blog about that are not popular, because both represent pain are: Recovery from addiction to drugs and/or alcohol, and spiritual growth. In American society, addictions have no boundaries. No longer is the addict found in the slums or ghettos of our fair cities. This pestilence reaches from the dark downtown alleys of the highly populated metropolis to the small and distant communities of the Amish. There are few people within our coasts that drugs have not affected in one way or another. There are mothers and fathers that have stood at the gravesite of many a youth, whose lives were snuffed out by this epidemic. Alcoholism has even a longer history of wreaking havoc, and robbing humanity of people, many innocently dying on our highways, as the party animal thought, I only have two miles to drive, I can do that blindfolded.
Being a recovering alcoholic myself, it is only by God’s grace that I’m sitting here, typing away about these evils of our society. I’m certain that my purpose in blogging is not to condescend to the addict or alcoholic still in the throes of their living death, and act as a judge pronouncing a verdict of eternal doom, for those who drink and drug. Not at all. Some people tend to see the direction their lives are heading and make necessary changes to avoid consequences of addictions. People actually do quit without ever suffering trouble, or having to spend the rest of their life in recovery groups like NA or AA. Good for them. The rest of us, however, get to humble ourselves and admit we are beaten. For some of us, abuse caused us to break out…in handcuffs. Others had the privilege of losing everything, more than once. Still many saw the danger ahead, and though they could not quit on their own, they found help in those life-altering programs of AA and NA.
Of all of the millions of American homes plagued by drink and dope…legal or illegal, my post being about healing and real living, these both represent death and pain, and my readership is extremely limited. There is humor, and there is drama, along with some adventure, when you blog on living clean and sober, but the topic itself, causes many to stop reading after a couple of sentences. Another perk of addictions, and enablement is denial, which those who read no further may suffer from.
Now as an added bonus, my other purpose in blogging is for growing up spiritually. For those leaving at that statement, I’ll leave a light on for you, keep your seat warm, etc. For those who want to know a little more, here goes. My personal experience with God, prior to years of alcoholism, was one of disbelief. I believed in God alright, but from a distance. I was one of those who honored God with my lips, but my heart was miles away, spiritually speaking. I was one who looked down from my perch at druggies and drunks wondering, how do they live like that? Well, I found out. I soon was out-doing the best of drinkers, what a hypocrite. (yes, I’m still one)
After nearly two decades of debauchery, I came to myself. After much petitioning God for help, help arrived when I made an appearance at an AA meeting, and saw all of those poor people waiting for me to come and help them. Right. What an ego! Actually, I did find hope, and help for my low estate. And by the way, for all of you wondering why God made me continue to ask Him for help, it wasn’t that He was busy and finally got around to helping me. No, He was ready the moment I asked, I wasn’t. I had my spiritual calculator out, counting the cost…who will be my friend if I quit boozin’, what will I do on the holidays, or counting up how bad I would miss the buzz. The actual cost turned out to be pennies, compared to the riches of grace shown to me in sobriety. I won that pool, but not without effort.
Okay, there it is, the reason or purpose of my posts. Some will read and be helped, others won’t give this page a second thought for now, still paying the high cost of low living. Others jump off the page at the mention of God, and whatever you write, DO NOT SAY JESUS! Otherwise, the few showing interest will skeedaddle. Farewell. I must tell, who I can tell, the Reason I write. Spiritual matters are not accepted by unspiritual people. Don’t misunderstand me, everyone, even Richard Dawkins has a spiritual side. People digging for spiritual buried treasure are never disappointed, in time. Be well. Keith
Awesome, say it the way it is, I like this. I was once an alcoholic as well. No longer, by God’s grace that is gone!
Great honesty in here…keep it up, keep it real…people will come to respect you for it.
Thanks, I really appreciate the comments. Its one of those only us alcoholics get. Blessings!
I wonder, would you be interested in writing a post for Inspirational Christian Blogs?
If you are please visit this link, http://inspirationalchristiansfortoday.com/to-be-considered-to-write-for-inspirational-christian-blogs/writing-a-post-for-us/
Thanks, I will check it out. I have been working on my other site today, trying to get it ready for a book I have due out in 2-3 mos. I love to write, but it may take me a while to learn this computer business. Thanks again!
You will get it!!! I had a bit of a time at first, but do fairly well now!
May you continue to have courage and strength in sharing your honesty about yourself and what God is doing in your life. Thanks for stopping by My Hmmm Collection and deciding to tag along.
Keep the Faith!
Thanks, God bless all your efforts as well!
What a wonderful blog!! God bless you on your journey. My son has recently become free of drugs (4 months sober) and I praise God!! He goes to Celebrate Recovery, our new 12-step, Christ-centered recovery program at LifePoint Church in Reisterstown, MD. Where do you live? Do you go to CR? My son also attends regular AA/NA programs. I am involved in CR for codependency issues. Only Christ can set us truly free!!!
So glad to hear of your son’s recovery, yours too. We live in so Ohio, and are involved in leadership at our church’s CR. I am involved in AA too. I recently wrote a book called “Under The Influence,” a daily guide for followers of Christ that suffer withaddictions. It is a beautiful compliment to CR and we are trying to contact, John Baker and Rick Warren so they can view it. Christ indeed is the answer. Be well and God bless you and your son!
Keith please let me know if you get any traction for your book, or can pass along someone to contact…I have almost completed a book (
womens fiction) about love and relationship addiction. I am thinking there should be a niche somewhere for recovery fiction!
Most certainly, fiction or non, if they point others to Christ, I will promote it! Thanks.
Sent from my Verizon Wireless 4G LTE Smartphone
Yeah, my manuscript is definitely God-driven. Edgy, current, points to God.
If you are ready to publish it, do it on Amazon’s kdp. I have two ebooks published there and once I get through the promo of this other through a publisher, I want to add many more. By the way, the two I have there already are free this week. today through Saturday.
Thank you for the introduction to your blog. You are a gifted writer, and with the Lord’s help you can do anything. Blessings to you.
Thank you for the kind words, God bless your every effort!
I really appreciate your blog! I led a Celebrate Recovery at my church for ten months, and the honesty, and heartfelt desire for change, and incredible life change – certainly impacted my life forever. Awesome, keep going!
Thanks for your encouragement…serving is only hard in our thoughts. The rewards for doing so are immense! Keep up your great work!
Hi Keith…. many parallels in our stories. I too am recovering from drugs and alcohol. More alcohol than drugs. I believe the Bible and that Jesus was who he said he was. And I too feel strongly about relationships.
My frequent quest in my journey of recovery, and message in sharing in my AA community is how ultimately, in my experience, recovery expresses itself most vividly, importantly, and meaningfully in relationships.
Early in my practice of and involvement in AA, it occurred to me that much of the recovery I was in the midst of fell short of applying to relationships. I wanted something more. I did not want ok relationships…. I wanted great ones. Especially in marriage, parenting, and family.
AA as it is practiced in my community does not lend itself very strongly toward practicing the principles in relationships (probably the most critical of the affairs referenced as “all of our affairs” in step 12).
Yet, when a true application of the principles of our quest for sobriety and recovery are applied to our conduct in relationships, they too can recover and grow beyond what we may ever have imagined. I believe that for me anyway. I don’t mean to preach.
So I look forward to reading more of your blog.
Ciao.
Chaz
You’re right on Chaz, many in AA have concluded the only change needed is not to drink and/or drug. Regretfully, I have seen people with 20, 25, even 35 years of sobriety, act like little kids when they don’t get their way. They can’t let go of trying to control everyone and everything. We often say you only have to change one thing…everything. I agree. In my time in recovery, I have seen many personal and wonderful changes in me and others. I am grateful for AA. It is my conviction that AA’s principles go far beyond living sober, also growing through life, knowing God better. I try just to overlook others insistence on their being number one, and move on to help any and all I can.
Hang tough, keep blogging, and giving all you can! Thanks for reading!
No problem Keith…. look forward to reading more.
Chaz