When I was a little girl I used to love looking through my mom’s catalogs. They weren’t like the catalogs I receive today, Pottery Barn, Ballards, or Front Gate. Nothing that high end. My favorite catalog was Lillian Vernon because it always had affordable trinkets that even an unemployed child of 10 could afford.
One Mother’s Day I found the perfect gift for my God-fearing mom. I couldn’t have paid more than a few dollars for it because that would be more than I ever kept in my piggy bank. I don’t even know how I ordered it but it must have been by putting cash in an envelope and mailing it off to the company. Master Charge (now Master Card) hadn’t become a part of our family dynamic at that point in time.
via Pinterest
Soon the little wooden plaque with the brass plate inscribed with these words arrived in the mail. I wrapped it for mom and proudly presented it to her on Mother’s Day.
She was so pleased that I would order a gift for her. She beamed and hugged and kissed me, and then she said, “Did you know that this is the alcoholics prayer?”
What? I barely even knew what an alcoholic was except that I knew we had some in the family and it wasn’t a good thing.
Though my mom meant no harm I was so embarrassed to have made such a stupid mistake.
Now, on the other side of middle on this birth-to-old age timeline I look at this prayer not as the “alcoholics prayer” but as a prayer that is valuable for anyone facing difficult circumstances.
Serenity to accept the unchangeable - Peace in knowing God is sovereign. Share on X
Courage to change what's changeable - Boldness to step by faith into what God calls me to. Share on X
Wisdom to know the difference - Discerning when I should move and when I should be still. Share on X
Feeling grateful for an awesome God who has used the “alcoholics prayer” to change my life.
Blessings,
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i have that prayer on my kitchen windowsill, to me it is about getting through life—words to live by. but, when i first started dating my husband 30 yrs ago, his mom had (has) it in her kitchen and i said to myself, thats the alcoholic prayer, because i thought i was so much better than them! What im trying to say is i think that was how that prayer was viewed back in the day
Oh my, Patti…..as adults we too often don’t realize what our chlldren “hear” when we speak to them, and as children we can so easily be hindered by something we don’t quite understand. Sometimes those differences can be irreparable, but I’m glad in your instance that wasn’t the case. Love your take on each of of those three points. Thanks for sharing.
Happy day to you!
That is one of my very favourite prayers too. I think it works well for anyone.
This is great! Thank you for sharing this, Patti. I love how you expounded on how we do this as Christ followers!
((hug)) I don’t drink and I like that prayer. 🙂 I think it’s pertinent to all. ~ That’s a beautiful graphic you used. 🙂
I noticed you’re attending She Speaks this summer. Me too. 🙂 So glad to be your linkup buddy at Holley’s place this morning. ((grace upon grace))
Funny “coincidence.” My dad went to AA when I was a kid, and – long story shortened -> it was not a positive experience for me in many ways. Therefore, I’ve always had this little discomfort (with a dash of snobbery) about that prayer. I love reading your words about it today. Thanks for your always-helpful words.
Hi Patti,
A plaque with that prayer hung in our house too, while I was growing up! 🙂 Isn’t it funny how we take comments to our tender hearts when we’re young even though I’m sure your mom meant no offense! I think it’s lovely that you wanted to give your mother a thoughtful gift even though you had limited finances! Always enjoy my visits here, friend!
It’s “still” a good prayer.