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Abraham Lincoln speaks

By Mick Conway

        "I have been driven many times to my knees by the overwhelming conviction that I had nowhere else to go." - Abraham Lincoln
 
        Most of us can relate to those words.  We think we can solve our problems (as well as those of others) by ingenuity, cleverness or intelligence.  Sometimes it works and we feel gratified by success.  But when our strategies fail after exhausting our repetoire we begin to realize that leaving God out of the equation was a serious mistake.  
 
        In the case of alcoholism, most families discover that this disease does not respond to ingenuity, cleverness or intelligence.  Nor does it respond to bomb throwers who threaten, argue or promise all manner of revenge if the drinking doesn't stop.  But when God is invited into that family through prayer, the whole environment changes.
 
        Pope John XXIII was famous for his reassuring words about God's provident love.  "Don't worry about tomorrow, entrust the future to God.  Don't fret so much about today's problems, God will bring everything to good.  There is grace even in catastrophe so keep calm and be joyful that God takes such loving care of us."
 
       Pope John XXIII's words teach us not to fear the uncertain future.  The Lord will provide, he says.  This does not mean sitting idly by while waiting for good fortune to knock on the door.  Rather, we do what we can as best we can while trusting the Lord to meet our needs.  His message is, "Let's put aside foolish worries and fears, accepting and enjoying the wonderful things the Lord is sending us today."
 
      "Letting go and letting God" is difficult.  It requires great faith but it is the only way to let God do His part.  Once we make the decision to back off and turn it over to God, inner peace will occur.  That peace is the beginning of healing and it will profoundly affect personal happiness and spill over into other relationships.
 
    The entire theme of The Twelve Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous is spiritual.  The authors of those Steps understood that no one can overcome the disease of alcoholism without the presence of God in their lives.  That knowledge, that sense of not being alone on the walk to sobriety is what makes the recovery process a happy experience.
 
    Spiritual thirst brings with it desperation and longing.  That is why attempting to maintain sobriety without God's assistance is so futile.
 
    There is no doubt that prayer is powerful.  It comforts us, heals us and gives us hope.  Prayer reassures us that God is with us and that we are never alone.
 
    Even Abraham Lincoln realized that he could not carry on without the help of God.  We all come to that conclusion sooner or later.