Sponsors
Being a Sponsor
25/Jun/08
One day I received a phone call from a newcomer
to recovery. He asked me to be his sponsor. Wow!
No one had ever asked that before. I was humbled
and grateful at the same time.
Was I prepared? Was I steady enough in my own recovery? Did I really have anything to offer? Fear took over for a few minutes as we talked.
Then I realized that he wasn't asking me to be his savior. That job was already taken. He just wanted me to be a helper. He just wanted me to share my experience with him. I could do that. So we prayed together, and I agreed to be his sponsor.
Was I prepared? Was I steady enough in my own recovery? Did I really have anything to offer? Fear took over for a few minutes as we talked.
Then I realized that he wasn't asking me to be his savior. That job was already taken. He just wanted me to be a helper. He just wanted me to share my experience with him. I could do that. So we prayed together, and I agreed to be his sponsor.
—Anonymous
The Right Sponsor
28/Apr/08
There's a clever one-mnute video making it's way
around the Internet called Charles Bronson is
My AA Sponsor. As you might imagine, it's an
over-the-top example of "tough love," but it
demonstrates that having the right sponsor is
important.
Neither cheery platitudes nor a tough "Snap out of it!" attitude are likely to help a newcomer in desperate straits. Newcomers should select sponsors who understand their problems, who, because they've been through similar troubles, can help them with patience and tact. A good sponsor does not flaunt his success with the program—he has none. The success belongs to Christ, and a good sponsor lets Him speak through the fruits of a changed life.
Neither cheery platitudes nor a tough "Snap out of it!" attitude are likely to help a newcomer in desperate straits. Newcomers should select sponsors who understand their problems, who, because they've been through similar troubles, can help them with patience and tact. A good sponsor does not flaunt his success with the program—he has none. The success belongs to Christ, and a good sponsor lets Him speak through the fruits of a changed life.
—Anonymous
Reality Check
14/Apr/08
Why do some people do better than others in
grasping the principles of recovery? Those who do
well are those who have the courage to face their
difficulties rather than hiding them away in some
dark corner.
Most of us think we know what our problems are, but do we really? One way for me to gain insight is to talk things over in detail with my sponsor. Putting my thoughts into word that can be challenged and tested by someone I trust can help me see things more clearly and help lead me to a change of heart. I try not to generate a list of grievances against others, but try to state my honest understanding of my problems. When I do this, I often find that not all of my difficulties are caused by others but that I make many of my own messes.
Listing the good and bad elements of my situation can be a first step toward clear understanding, and my sponsor provides an important reality check on such an inventory. Only complete honesty will lead to true understanding. I pray that God will guard me from self-deception.
Most of us think we know what our problems are, but do we really? One way for me to gain insight is to talk things over in detail with my sponsor. Putting my thoughts into word that can be challenged and tested by someone I trust can help me see things more clearly and help lead me to a change of heart. I try not to generate a list of grievances against others, but try to state my honest understanding of my problems. When I do this, I often find that not all of my difficulties are caused by others but that I make many of my own messes.
Listing the good and bad elements of my situation can be a first step toward clear understanding, and my sponsor provides an important reality check on such an inventory. Only complete honesty will lead to true understanding. I pray that God will guard me from self-deception.
—John