Close Encounters With God

The topic of my last twelve-step meeting was ‘Higher Power.’  Our chairperson began with a reading on the topic and then asked each of us to either read another reading on the subject or to share our experience about the god of our understanding.

One fellow began to tell us that he didn’t have a lot of experience with a higher power but He knew that He existed  because of us. He went on to say how we had offered hope and love when things felt bleak for his family.

He told us how proud he was to know us and as he did this, one at a time, he pointed his finger at each person around the table, offering an affirmation. As he was doing this, I noticed that one member began to sob.

Another twelve-stepper passed the tissue box. I was quick to dismiss it at first, because tears are not only welcome in our meetings, they are encouraged. But, then it occurred to me that the timing was off.

This man wasn’t sharing a hard story. He was praising us for helping his family find hope. He was sharing that because of us, he is open to exploring the idea of a higher power. These are all good things. I was perplexed.

When the meeting was over, several people reached out to our teary friend. She looked at the group and said,

“I’ve never had anyone say that they are proud of me before.” And, then the floodgates opened again.

During my catechetical training with Sister Mary Michael, OP, she often repeated CCC 221. She did this because of it’s importance. I will quote the section of it here that she often referenced:

“God himself is an eternal exchange of love, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and he has destined us to share in that exchange.”

As I sat there that night, I was reminded of this teaching and I realized that God had been in our meeting. He was extending love from the one who just barely believed to another in need of His love. And, I got a front row seat.

As the writer Anne Lamott often says, “He is such a show-off.”

As I sit here typing and then deleting my efforts at describing my close encounter with God, I realize that I can’t.

I can tell you how it affected this human. My heart felt expanded. I could imagine possibilities. I am bowled over with gratitude. I feel lucky to be a member of a twelve-step group. I feel blessed that God allows me to meet other sick and suffering people such as myself.

If you are worried about a loved one who has been affected by the disease of addiction, I can tell you that there is so much hope. Please come out into the light and ask for help. Go to a twelve-step meeting. Talk to your priest. Seek out a counselor or spiritual director.

God is waiting to help you.  And, he only needs a little bit to give back a lot.

Praying for you and your loved ones…