And all who believed were together and had all things in common.

Acts‬ ‭2‬:‭44

When I got to AA, I was consigned to extract whatever information I needed to get better and then to be on my way.

I wasn’t like these people, and I didn’t want to hang around then any longer than absolutely necessary. The differences were stark because I looked for and focused on them.

I hadn’t progressed into addiction this far. Heck, I may not even be alcoholic compared to some of them.

But working the steps off the wall with a moron (myself) as a sponsor did not work. I was quickly back at square one.

Once I conceded to the need for true help, I began to open my eyes to the similarities instead of the differences. Surprisingly, I found plenty of them as I became honest with myself and this new fellowship.

We were bonded together by our affliction, but made tighter by our shared recovery. And I found that this recovery was reliant first upon seeking God, and second upon allowing ourselves to be a part of a fellowship of friends.

I can still find differences if I look for them, but as I’ve found my own way out of addiction and back to God, I am grateful to be a part of this fellowship.

God, help me pass on the hope I reluctantly received.