There But For the Grace of God…

… go I, is how that phrase finishes out.  I have used that expression more in the past 137 days than ever before in my life.  It probably goes without saying, but the expression means that I am fortunate, through God’s grace, not to have whatever bad luck has fallen upon another.  For example, when I drive by a car accident, I will say this out loud, to remind myself how truly fortunate I am to be safe in my own car.

What I like about this expression is, first, that it re-focuses me on how positive my life really is.  When I look around and see other people’s problems, I am truly grateful for the ones I have.  And when you are in regular attendance in 12-step meetings, you have a real chance to be grateful for your own life.  As bad as you may think you have it, I guarantee there is someone who has it worse.

The second reason I like this expression is that it reminds me that I am not running the show, and that I have someone else to thank for my good fortune.  Just as this expression re-focuses me on the positive aspects of my life, it also re-focuses me on God, and how blessed I am to have a relationship with Him.