A.A. Oldtimers…On the Seventh Step
A.A. Grapevine, May 1945, Vol. 1 No. 12
“Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings.”
We all know that it is God’s will that we live clean, wholesome lives; that we think clearly and become persons of honest decision. This we know we cannot do until we become our real selves, so, in desperation, we alcoholics revert to prayer. We humbly ask God to remove our shortcomings; to restore us to our natural selves, so
that we may think clearly on our problems.
Emerson says, “None will ever solve the problem of his character according to our prejudice, but only in his own high unprecedented way.”
Character is undoubtedly accumulative, and in removing shortcomings it stands to reason that we are striving to build character. This can be done by observing our
errors, and, one at a time, correcting them on the spot.
We have already accepted this “Power greater than ourselves” as a reality. Something to which we can pray, expecting to receive help. So now we ask for courage to look at our shortcomings honestly. To recognize them for what they really are, and not what we might wish them to be.
What are some of our shortcomings?…