Blog for March 30th, 2026
A respite for listening
Where to begin? It was another low key, eventful week. A new class started and that kept me busy of course. Getting students to understand and follow directions can be challenging at times. But I’ve been doing it for many years and it’s to be expected. Many of my students were not even born when I started teaching this class. Yet, I still enjoy it and appreciate the college for keeping me on all these years, close to twenty -eight now.
Then we planned a little get-a-way for a couple of days, two nights, three days. Both of us had been working hard around the house and yard, taking care of what our God has given us. We were ready for a little break, so we went about five hours away to a campground we’d never been to before and it was very nice there. My grandson was on Spring break and my son took one day off. We camped by a lake and the boys got to go kayaking after we came back from the falls. God’s country, beautiful country. All in all, it was a good trip, an enjoyable campground.
The best part was being together, and being away from cities, towns and a bunch of people. Looking at the stars, breathing fresh air, in a quiet spot where I can listen for God. I love hanging out with my son and precious grandson that I love so much. He is indeed a special boy, nearly a man now. I pray for him a good life, where he walks close to God and blesses the people in his life. My favorite part of this respite was being on the beach of the lake with the boys, my husband and my son’s girlfriend, she showed up on day two. She is a sweetie, and I love her. We just hung out there and watched them skip stones on the lake and enjoyed the evening until the sun went down.
Today, my Love and I watched a Dr. Stanley sermon about listening to God. Dr. Stanley mentioned some things I already know, but needed to hear again, you know how that works, right? That’s one reason we continue to go to meetings and read the same five readings every time: Why? Who? What? How? Traditions. What Stanley said was God speaks to us through His word, prayer, circumstances and others. I know that to be true.
He went on to say how we can identify the voice of God: by His consistency with the Word, it will align. And God speaks quietly and clearly. There’s never no confusion with Him. If.. you are listening. If you are refusing to listen it could be because of unbelief, busyness, fear or anger- at God. When we don’t listen then we don’t have good guidance and we are listening to the wrong voices and others will suffer for it too, not just us.
I have mentioned in the last couple of blogs that I am presently working on Step Eleven, deeply. And this information aligns with that step very nicely. I pray for the knowledge of God’s will for me and then ask for the power (from God) to carry it out. I mean, honestly, what else matters? I spent many years living outside of God’s will and it really didn’t work for me, pain and suffering abounded.
This brings me back to the little camping trip; just being together and cherishing time with my Love, son and grandson is God’s will for me: Loving others, being of service to others and to carry this message: That God loves you and you don’t have to live a life of drugs and degradation if you don’t want to. It might not work for everybody, but NA and God have worked very well for us and many thousands of addicts.
Question of the Week: Are you listening for God? Do you need a respite.