Are many. If they were wrapped up and under the Christmas tree, the wrapping would be a bit beat up. Maybe somewhat crinkled and wrapped in duct tape instead of clear tape. Because they don’t come neatly packaged or easily opened. They take effort to open, and they are not random or ordered through Amazon Prime. They are chosen especially for you when you’ve broken free from whatever has you in bondage.
For me, it was alcohol. For you it might be something else. Food, Codependency, Prescription Drugs, Depression, Grief, Anxiety, Fear. The list of those things in life that are hard is endless. Hard stuff that if we can move away from it, life does get better. I promise. You wonder if the gifts are ever going to appear. Then slowly they start to appear and they multiply. Then one day, you notice that life is full of them. A life in recovery.
Clarity
Inner Peace
Appreciation
Joy
Self Esteem
Satisfaction
Accomplishment
Friendship
Opportunity
Freedom
Trust
Contentment
Acceptance
Appreciation
This is actually the short list. I know there are more and I am sure you could add to this list as well.
"Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift!" -2 Corinthians 9:15
Inexpressible means, "a feeling to strong to be put into words." Exactly my struggle here. What a wonderful struggle to have. I simply cannot put into words what life in sobriety has brought me. Is life perfect? No, not at all. But it is good. So very good.
I think the biggest gift I experience everyday from the list above is the shortest one: Joy. I have so much joy everyday. Sometimes in the simplest things. My coffee, a text to or from a friend, a song, a cleaned out drawer that been bugging me. Simple everyday things bring me joy.
"What I know for sure is that you feel real JOY in direct proportion to how connected you are to living your truth." -Oprah
I am living His truth, I am a daughter of the King. Wife, Mother, and Grandmother and I’m doing it sober. And that my friend, brings me inexpressible, real Joy.
I am thankful for the reminder though, to stay here - basking in the Joy.
Do me a favor this week: what brings you joy this month? Leave a simple comment here. Maybe it will help someone else experience a moment of joy in the season.
It doesn’t need to be Christmas to experience these gifts, just another day in recovery.
Love,
Sherry