A Story of Recovery:
Being Of Service
I have been a member of Food Addicts in Recovery Anonymous (FA) for over seven years. In FA, I lost 50 pounds (23 kilos) and kept it off. I am so grateful for a spiritual answer to food addiction and that I can work the Twelve Steps with fellow FA members. One night in AWOL (A Way of Life, a study of the Twelve Steps), we talked about praying for someone else instead of just ourselves. We also took a commitment to do so every day for a week.
The next morning, I knelt in prayer and asked God to use me to be of service. I prayed for everyone who was suffering and grieving, naming specific people I knew. I did not know how I would be of service to anyone, I live alone and have been sheltering in place for some time. I trusted God’s plan for me, however.
I made phone calls to FA members I do not normally speak to, listening to the quiet voice inside myself. Sure enough, I connected with an FA member who co-owned a small business with her husband. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the business no longer had any clients. The member stated that she did not know how to apply for a small business loan, and I was able to help. I connected her with an FA member who had just applied for a similar loan, as well as to another member whose job it was to help small businesses obtain loans. She was very grateful. It felt good to be of service, just by being present and listening.
After the FA phone call, I had to go to the bank for help with a problem. When I arrived, a teller kindly informed me that my issue could only be resolved by calling a phone number. I was disappointed because I had called that number the day before, remaining on the phone for 30 minutes with no answer. Nevertheless, I was able to cordially thank the teller for her time.
On my way home I remembered that my niece, who had just had a baby, had asked me where to find certain vegetables. Since I had my mask and gloves and was passing by a grocery store, I stopped and bought the vegetables. I even got a chance to thank the store employees for their work.
When I arrived at my niece’s home, I knocked gently in case the baby was sleeping. I thought I would have to wait another month to see the precious child, but to my surprise, my niece opened the door with her daughter in her arms. I was thrilled, yet I remembered to social distance and just gaze lovingly at her. God helped me keep my gloved hands to myself and not ask to hold her.
My niece and I had a short uplifting conversation where she proudly told me that my great niece had grown an additional 0.5 inches (1.27cm), slept well and was even tempered. It made me fondly remember my time as a new mother. My son (now 25 years old) had also slept well when he was a baby.
After the conversation, I headed home. I was so happy, I practically skipped. God had used me to be of service!
After putting the groceries away, I sat down to call my bank. I expected another long wait on the phone, but after less than five minutes, a patient employee explained that my issue had already been resolved.
I am certain that this was God’s way of thanking me for being grateful and serving others. The wonderful feelings I receive from sharing myself sustain me and make me want to do more. Now I know that miracles happen when I pray for others and ask God to use me.