Giving is Giving back
As we head out today to feed and clothe the homeless, a sense of worthiness fills our souls knowing that this is the right thing to do. The twelfth step of AA/NA says “to keep it you have to give it away”. So as we carry the message to others, genuine service or ‘giving back’ is the one thing that will keep us mindful of our past selfish lives, which was once dominated with receiving rather than ‘giving’. ‘Giving’ with no hidden agendas to get back gives us a true sense of meeting the needs for those who are less fortunate. This is clearly stated in Acts 20:35 “In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ Similarly in the St. Francis of Assisi prayer, one of the ending verses says,“For it is in giving that we receive.”
‘Giving’ which is actually ‘giving back’ has the following benefits: (a) Improves self-esteem and self confidence (b) Feels more empowered (c) Improves our resilience against mental illnesses (c) Helps improve our communities (d) Finds more purpose and meaning in our lives (e) Keeps us connected and not isolated (f) Develops new skills, and (h) Gains a better perspective of what life is like now, what’s really important to us, and the benefits of living clean and sober.
Of course feeding the homeless is just one avenue to give back. Others ways are: becoming a sponsor with ample clean time once we are prepared to be honest at all times first with ourselves; volunteering at a shelter for animals; community and beach clean ups’, and any other acts of giving back is a great for the path ahead of a transformed life.
In our search for a meaningful life and to get rid of the obsessions in our past lives we must be willing to try anything; and here is a true story. A former client kicked and screamed that she was not going to accompany us to feed and clothe the homeless because it made her uncomfortable. I insisted that she should go, and she did. As she was handing an old lady a food pack which she prepared, she dropped the pack and began crying. As I consoled her and inquired what was happening, she said she just had an epiphany; she saw herself in that lady, and if she continued with her drinking she will end up homeless and waiting to be fed. Her obsession for alcohol was immediately lifted. Today she is celebrating almost 2 years clean time. We never know where our recovery lies!
Today, as we collectively pack the food and sort the clothes for delivery, we encourage everyone who is seeking freedom from addiction to do likewise and ‘give back’. Even if we are not fans of the 12 Steps because it is ‘too religious’, dig into our consciences and release the ego. Luke 6:38 says, “Give to others, and God will give to you. Indeed, you will receive a full measure, a generous helping, poured into your hands—all that you can hold. The measure you use for others is the one that God will use for you.” And James 2:15-17 says the following, “Suppose there are brothers or sisters who need clothes and don’t have enough to eat. What good is there in your saying to them, “God bless you! Keep warm and eat well!”—if you don’t give them the necessities of life? So it is with faith: if it is alone and includes no actions, then it is dead.
2 Corinthians 9:7 states, “Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. Our last but not least reminder in our ‘giving’ is in Philippians 1:6 that states, “And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. I encourage everyone who is reading this blog to continue to ‘give back’ and watch God work in our lives. You think about it!
Good morning!
Remember, ‘nothing changes if nothing changes’, and ‘the same person will always use’.
Have a great day in the Lord. You deserve it!
PS. Remember to hold up our brothers and sisters in the Bahamas in our prayers, and to ‘give’ to them freely.