There is a patch of light that comes through my window, late in the afternoon. On cooler days, the dogs find their way upstairs to bask in that light. Sometimes, I join them.
I like to imagine that the warmth that soaks into my skin is a loving embrace from God. I imagine Him with me as I rest my eyes; feeling safe.
In winter, when daylight is scarce, I schedule my lunch break around this light. I think I inherited this need from my dad.
There are other patches of light that pierce dark spaces. My twelve-step group is one such place. I never wanted to be a member of that club because it seemed so depressing. I didn’t understand the impact of just one small slice of light…until now.
Last week as the world argued, I went to my group meeting and watched two men scoop up a young man who was consumed with worry over a brother. They shared with him. They offered hope. And, before I left the meeting, I’m sure that I saw a small patch of light illuminate his face.
This kind of ‘light therapy’ reminds me of a passage in the Catechism of the Catholic Church that is taken from I John. The essential part says, “God’s very being is love. By sending his only Son and Spirit of Love in the fullness of time, God has revealed his innermost secret. God himself is an eternal exchange of love, Father, Son and Holy Spirit and He has destined us to share in that exchange.”
Are we offering light to those who struggle in the darkness? Or have we removed ourselves from the depressing places because they seem too hard?
As a card-carrying member of my twelve-step club, I can tell you that in this group, I have found the god of my understanding. I’m getting to know Him here.
You see, God is near to those who suffer. If you want to feel his light, go to them. If you want to bask in his warmth, help a stranger. If you want to feel connection to others, begin to regularly pray for them.
If you have a loved one who suffers from an addiction, and it feels like more than you can bear, I want you to feel the hope that I know is possible. I want you to experience the light that can pierce that awful dark place where addiction resides.
Please join me as we reach out to others, giving and receiving the light of hope, the light of faith and the light of God.
Awesome insight Jean Marie!
Thanks
Jean, I read the article in the Tennessee Register by Theresa Heaton about your wonderful work. I too am a parent of an addict. Whenever I travel or move to a new city I search out AL-Anon. God is always at the center of the group. I didn’t ask HIM if he was a Catholic God. He is simply Our Loving Father and grants us Peace and serenity. At your retreat encourage participants to go to Al-Anon meetings or start one in their community. Here at St Stephen Catholic Community in Old Hickory we have one AA meeting and 2 Al-Anon meetings. I have been attending Al-Anon meetings for 35 years. I have survived 20 years of loving my incarcerated son and am now aiding my daughter who is in end stage liver failure. Please encourage the families to attend Al-Anon. This is not only a Catholic disease. We are stronger when we are united
Patti Lapointe
Patti, thank you for your comment. I’m so sorry for your struggles Al-Anon is such a blessing. I know that this disease does not discriminate. As a Catholic, I wanted to share what I’d learned about Ignatian Spirituality and how closely it relates to the 12 steps of AA and Al-Anon. I do encourage these programs to everyone. They can be life-changing. I just wanted to be open to talk about my experience in the hopes that it would give courage to others to reach out for help. Thank you for speaking out.
Patti, thank you for your comment. I’m so sorry for your struggles Al-Anon is such a blessing. I know that this disease does not discriminate. As a Catholic, I wanted to share what I’d learned about Ignatian Spirituality and how closely it relates to the 12 steps of AA and Al-Anon. I do encourage these programs to everyone. They can be life-changing.