January 3
Someone Made It Possible
Before a newcomer hears a helpful word, quite a few ordinary things may have happened. Someone unlocked the room. Somebody answered an inquiry, kept the meeting information accurate, or made sure there were books available. These actions rarely become the memorable part of anyone's story. Without them, the conversation might never happen.
Remembering this can change the way service looks. We need not possess an extraordinary message to help another alcoholic reach one. There is dignity in making recovery accessible, even when we never meet the person who benefits. Nor do we have to imagine that every task belongs to us. A fellowship makes room for many contributions. The small piece we can reliably offer may fit beside someone else's in ways neither of us can see. It is enough that help has somewhere to arrive.
What ordinary help made it possible for me to find A.A.?
Some kindness reaches us before we know its name.
For the A.A. nerds: The A.A. Service Manual, “A.A.'s Legacy of Service.”