Footbridge over a quiet stream — Al-Anon daily reflection for November 15

Backseat Driving

Step 3 Step 11

Knowledge and power is when I stop giving directions and start listening for God’s will.

I am a backseat driver to the Universe. I sit in prayer giving God directions: 'Please help him see reason,' 'Please let the job interview go well,' 'Please make the traffic clear up.' I think this is prayer, but it's really management. I am trying to delegate tasks to God while retaining the role of General Manager.

True knowledge and power come when I stop issuing memos and start taking notes. When I stop saying 'God, do this,' and start asking 'God, what would you have me do?', the energy shifts. The burden of running the world falls off my shoulders. It is exhausting to try to manipulate reality to fit my blueprint. Surrendering the directions doesn't mean I don't care; it means I acknowledge I am not qualified for the job of God. My only job is to align myself with the flow, not to direct the river.

I can look at my current prayer list. Does it look like a wish list or a to-do list for God? I will rewrite one request, changing it from 'Please change X' to 'Please give me the wisdom to deal with X as it is.'

Today’s Reminder

I am a participant in life, not the director.

Carry this peace in your pocket.

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Curated by members of the Al-Anon community for Daily Growth, LLC. Grounded in the Twelve Steps and the contemplative tradition of Al-Anon.

Reflections on Step 3