"Many of us have difficulty admitting that we caused harm for others...We cut away our justifications and our ideas of being a victim."
Basic Text, p. 38
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Our lives are progressing nicely. Things are going good, and each year in recovery brings more material and spiritual gifts. We may have a little money in the bank, a new car, or a committed relationship. We have a little self-confidence, and our faith in a Higher Power is growing.
Then, something happens. Someone breaks into our new car and steals the stereo, or the person were in the relationship with becomes unfaithful. Right away, we feel victimized. "Where's the justice?" we wail. But if we take a look back on our own behavior, we may find that weve been guilty of doing whats just been done to us. We realize we wouldn't really want justice--not for ourselves, and not for others. What we want is mercy.
We thank a loving God for the compassion we've been shown, and we take the time to appreciate all the precious gifts that recovery brings.
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Just for today: I will pray for mercy, not justice. I am grateful for the compassion I've been shown, and will offer mercy to others.
I like the quote from the Basic Text but disagree with what some of the JFT says.
Yes, I have done bad things in the past to others and continue to do so today (though hopefully less of it).
Yes, it is important to recognize that I need mercy from a higher power.
However, this does not mean that I was not harmed in the past, can be harmed today, or that I do not need justice.
If someone breaks into my car and steals my stereo, they deserve to be punished for this. Stealing is a crime.
Just because I did bad things in the past does not mean I should let the car stereo thief off the hook.
I may pray that he learns to change his ways. I my forgive him. But I may also want to ensure that he receives justice.
Mercy comes into play IF/WHEN someone is contrite and willing to change their ways. Unless someone, including myself, is held accountable for their actions chances are much slimmer of change happening. Justice, our Justice system, is a way of forcing accountability for actions. While I was not court appointed to attend 12 Step meetings how many people Clean today started their Recovery Journey because of their actions and resulting Justice system mandate? Of course this type of punishment, attending 12 meetings, could itself be deemed a form of Mercy vs incarceration.
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Work the Steps or Die MF. (My Friend :) Clean One Day At a Time by The Grace of God through The Power of NA
