Thursday, July 30, 2009

Philip 4 ...

I have about 10 people who call me "sponsor", about 5 who I meet with at least once a week, 5 who usually call me at least once a day. So why do I keep writing about "Philip"? (don't worry, that's not his picture - Philip is not even his real name...)

It could be the way he came to me - clearly an answer to a prayer that I'd not uttered yet. It could be that he just seemed so willing and ready. It could be that I'm just bored of trying to figure out what else to write about.

I certainly have sponsees who have more drama going on in their lives. Or ones to whom I feel much more connected and effective with.

But, at least some of the reason that I think Philip keeps showing up here is that he's the first one I've had in a long time who just seems to have that charmed relationship with their higher power - to where they are just exuding the evidence of the grace of God in early sobriety.

He got out of his program at our detox on Tuesday. We had coffee Tuesday morning (he now needs to get around on his own since the detox no longer delivers him to me at my direction - bummer for us both, right? ;-) ). We've been hovering over the 3rd step for a week now while I get my guidance as to whether we start over now that he's released and go back through the book as is my habit or whether we charge on into an inventory...

He admitted that he'd screwed up (bad term) and pursued a "relationship" while he was at the detox. We both had a laugh about the fact that I'd actually caught him in several lies while I've been working with him. I assured him that, in my experience, the only way you could tell if a drunk was lying to me was to watch closely and see if his lips were moving.

As I've written before, he has more than his share of challenges - an ex-con who's fresh out of rehab/jail in a down economy in a community tweaked about bad crimes coming at the hands of the newly released. We talked about going through life on a spiritual basis and trusting God and staying in the moment.

He then went to report into his probation officer and, while there, met someone who had a job for him. Of course.

He called to share the great news with me and when I said he "...didn't know if he'd like the work or not...", I assured him that didn't matter one little bit.

I wasn't at the meeting where he was last night but the report is that he's exactly where he's supposed to be.

Of course.

5 comments:

steveroni said...

I guess we are all exactly at the place we're supposed to be. Some times I wonder?

Syd said...

It sounds as if you both relate to each other in a great way. Ten sponsees....wow, Ed. I can barely deal with three. I'm glad that Philip is where he is. It sounds as if he is moving forward towards the light.

Carol said...

Interesting. I hope it works out. Loosely defined, 'works out' meaning that neither of you are annihilated by the experience!

Scott W said...

Good old Higher Power, providing as always and shining through you and Philip. Beautiful.

Mary Christine said...

That's wonderful.