But Isn’t That Beside The Point?

When I was first told not to pray for things that would benefit me, I thought, “No problem.”

I had never prayed for myself.

When I get was a kid, scrubbed and reverent, I always prayed for others.

When I had no faith, no God, I prayed for others.

I never bargained, “If you get me out of this, I’ll…”

A selfish petition was a sign of weakness as far as I was concerned.

Besides, I didn’t want nor did I deserve a goddamn thing.

I was a drunk.

Then, I dried out. I sobered up.

Then, slowly, I began to recover and stumble my way through 38 years of a drug free life.

Good things came my way. Things not on my prayer list.

Good people called me friend. But I didn’t pray that they like me.

Good women loved me. But I didn’t pray they’d hold me.

I had a 27 year career helping others. But it wasn’t the answer to my prayers.

Years 25, 26 and 27 of that job were awful. But I never prayed to find a way out.

However, every day of those 27 years, I prayed for others and asked the God I understand to be God to allow me to be of maximum service to others. To help those who are still sick.

So, I guess, in a way, I prayed I’d receive something…patience, understanding and tolerance.

I was told I could pray for myself if others would be helped.

And that’s what I did for 38 years, help others, and, in the process, a whole world opened up to me.

A wonderful world growing more wondrous each hour, each day.

A wonderful world that started spinning so fast it made my heart sick.

I don’t know why.

I think I have some regrets.

I think I’ve made some mistakes.

The biggest being I’ve neglected my self in some way. At least, that’s what I think.

I asked some one today, “What do you think?”

And they said, “If you pray about it, you’ll feel better.”