Skip to main content

Selected Essays

Third Step - Decision

God, I'd like to make the decision with you that the third step calls for.

Take and receive, oh Lord, all my liberty. Take my memory, my understanding, and my entire self-centered self-will. Whatsoever I have or hold, you have given me. I give it all back to you and surrender it wholly, totally, completely, unconditionally - to be put in your care - to be governed by your will.

So take my desire to run things, to dominate people, influence events, manipulate, maneuver, con, turn, twist, arrange, rearrange, and direct. Take the "I want what I want, when I want it, the way I want it." Take that passion for control, to tell others what, when, where, and how much of everything to do. Take them all, God, and put them in your care.

Give me only your love and your grace, and the ability to accept whatever happens to me. Let me accept it graciously, as being allowed by you, and I'll be rich enough to ask for nothing more.

-Anonymous

Yesterday - Is but a dream
Tomorrow - IS Only a vision
TODAY - Well lived makes every
Yesterday - A dream of happiness,
and every Tomorrow - a vision of hope -
Today - Therfore LIVE WELL
Bill W.
The cofounder of A.A