The RiverI see a picture in my mind...there is a river...sometimes turbulent, sometimes calmand across that river there is a stairway---not a rustic wooden one that can rot, but a stable cement one...built to bear the pounding of many feet, without crumbling.That river is my life ----- the stairway , the 12 steps.On calm days I can splash right in and swim across the river and begin to climb those steps... on my own it's hard and I usually only get to step 3.On other days when the river is raging, I still plunge right in and am swept away, losing sight of the steps I'm so eager to climb.Once on falling in and rounding the bend I caught sight of a rock protruding above the water and I latched on. Written on the rock was the word "think" and I did.As I surveyed my surrroundings I caught sight of other rocks I could use to step safely to the other side.Fleetingly I noticed something was written on each rock---one said "easy does it"another "one day at a time"another "how important is it?"another"first things first".another "keep ana open mind".another "but for the grace of God".And the most elusive one-that I can sometimes only get a precarious toehold on:"Let go and let God"... once on this it is stable and safe...but I have to be willing and trusting to plant my feet firmly to appreciate this...once I do the way is easy ( tiny spiritual awakening).Now when I observe my "river" on dark, stormy days I know I can pick my way gently across if I use the stepping stones ( the slogans).Once safely on the other side , I can walk calmly along the shore to the bend and am soon in sight of steps once more.The struggle of climbing the steps is easier if I daily use the stepping stoned to reach them safely.And there is always an earlier traveller waiting on the steps with out stretched hand to help me on my journey up the steps if I'm willing to reach my hand out as well .
