These things are true...and not just for me

Two quotes, and one prayer, from the book Alcoholics Anonymous that are becoming more and more real to me, every day....

Selfishness - self-centeredness! That, we think, is the root of our troubles. Driven by a hundred forms of fear, self-delusion, self-seeking, and self-pity, we step on the toes of our fellows and they retaliate. Sometimes they hurt us, seemingly without provocation, but we invariably find that at some time in the past we have made decisions based on self which later placed us in a position to be hurt. So our troubles, we think, are basically of our own making. They arise out of ourselves...

Many of us had moral and philosophical convictions galore, but we could not live up to them even though we would have liked to. Neither could we reduce our self-centeredness much by wishing or trying on our own power. We had to have God's help. This is the how and why of it. First of all, we had to quit playing God. It didn't work. Next, we decided that hereafter in this drama of life, God was going to be our Director. He is the Principal; we are His agents. He is the Father, and we are His children. Most good ideas are simple, and this concept was the keystone of the new and triumphant arch through which we passed to freedom. (page 62, emphasis added)

In the battles I have with my addictions, with my pride, and with my fears, these are powerful reminders of just Who is in charge, and who is the problem, in this deal.

Thank you God, for the stockbroker, the banker, and the sister, who were the instruments of your grace to recovering people across this globe.

God, I offer myself to You, this day - to build with me and to do with me as You will. Relieve me of the bondage of self, that I might better do Your will. Take away my difficulties, that victory over them may bear witness to those I would help of Your power, Your love, and Your way of life. May I do Your will always! (the "3rd step prayer," page 63).