Narcotics Anonymous

Just For Today - Daily Email Service

   April 18                                                    "I understand"

             "We humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings."

                                                                   Step Seven

                           ----=----

   Once we are entirely ready to have our character defects removed, many of
   us are entirely ready!    Ironically, that's when the trouble really
   starts.  The more we struggle to rid ourselves of a particular defect, the
   stronger that shortcoming seems to become.   It is truly humbling to
   realize that not only are we powerless over our addiction, but even over
   our own defects of character.

   Finally, it clicks.   The Seventh Step doesn't suggest that we rid
   ourselves of our shortcomings, but that we ask our Higher Power to rid us
   of them.  The focus of our daily prayers begins to shift.  Admitting our
   inability to perfect ourselves, we plead with our Higher Power to do for
   us what we cannot do for ourselves.  And we wait.

   For many days, our program may stay on Step Seven.  We may experience no
   sudden, total relief from defects-but we often do experience a subtle
   shift in our perceptions of ourselves and others.  Through the eyes of the
   Seventh Step, we begin to see those around us in a less critical way.   We
   know that, just like us, many of them are struggling with shortcomings
   they would dearly love to be rid of.  We know that, just like us, they are
   powerless over their own defects.  We wonder if they, too, humbly pray to
   have their defects removed.

   We begin evaluating others as we have learned to evaluate ourselves, with
   an empathy born of humility.  As we watch others, and as we keep watch on
   ourselves, we can finally say, "I understand."

                           ----=----

   Just for today:  God, help me see through the eyes of Step Seven.  Help me
   understand.