This recording is a reflective meditation on the idea that AA, unlike the fair-weather friends alcoholics encounter in bars and active addiction, offers unconditional welcome and support. The speaker draws a contrast between drinking buddies who disappear when money runs out or trouble arrives and the fellowship of AA, which welcomes members back with open arms after relapse — no questions asked, no recriminations.
The piece leans heavily on spiritual themes, emphasizing Step 11's guidance to improve conscious contact with Higher Power through prayer and meditation. The speaker quotes the Big Book's promise that when we draw near to Higher Power, He discloses Himself to us, and cites Peter Marshall's observation that Higher Power permits no trouble without a specific plan for blessing. Bill Wilson and Dr. Bob are credited with providing all the tools needed for recovery, with trust in Higher Power positioned as the most important.
The recording closes with the story of James Marshall, who sold his mine just inches from striking the mother lode — the Comstock mine that made its new owner one of California's first millionaires. The speaker uses this as a parable for not giving up on the program, noting that thousands of sober alcoholics worldwide prove the principles work. The friends made in AA, the speaker concludes, are not fair-weather friends but friends forever.
Is AA a fair-weather friend? All of us, at one time or another, have experienced the disappointment incurred when a fair-weather friend has abandoned us because of a sudden problem that has arisen in our lives. How many times have we seen the flock...
Is AA a fair-weather friend? All of us, at one time or another, have experienced the disappointment incurred when a fair-weather friend has abandoned us because of a sudden problem that has arisen in our lives. How many times have we seen the flock of friends gathered around us at the bar quietly drift away as our money on the bar disappeared? As long as we have money and everything is going along as smoothly as it should, we are surrounded by friends. But let us suddenly be overtaken by some tragedy or hardship and watch what happens to that horde of friends. They disappear as quickly as the animals do at the first sound of gunfire on opening day of hunting season. The worst thing that can happen to an alcoholic is to start drinking again after achieving a period of sobriety. And yet, how many times have we heard it said around AA that you are always welcome back? That's right, always, with no strings attached. AA is not a fair-weather friend. Over the years, many times I have heard alcoholics counseled that if they choose to go out and drink again, they will be welcomed back with open arms. No questions asked. No explanations necessary. Just pick up the pieces and start over. I know of no other organization in the world that so readily will lovingly welcome back members back with no recriminations whatsoever. After the sordid mess we make of our lives with alcohol, we are fortunate to be a part of an organization that offers so much to bring us back to the peaceful, loving, happy lives we can enjoy upon achieving sobriety. We are advised to, to improve our conscious contact with God through prayer and meditation. And the big book goes on to say, when we draw near to Him, He discloses Himself to us. Moving ahead, trusting in the Lord for all our needs, we find that God does, in fact, provide for us and safely carries us through every difficult time in our journey. Peter Marshall once said, God will not permit any troubles to come our way. God will not permit any troubles to come our way. God will not permit any troubles to come our way. God will not permit any troubles to come upon us unless He has a specific plan by which great blessings can come out of the difficulty. When Bill Wilson and Dr. Bob were led to create Alcoholics Anonymous, they were given all the tools we would ever need to find success in the program. But the most important tool of all was the admonition to trust the Lord, to keep our faith strong and know that God will always be there for us. There is absolutely no place for us and there is absolutely no place we can go where He is not already there waiting for us. And if we are obedient to His commands, no harm will come to us and we will be blessed abundantly. God is faithful. He is not a fair-weather friend. We need to move forward following the suggestions of the AA program with complete confidence, never faltering. James Marshall struggled to try to get even a basic day's pay out of his mind. But he never succeeded in getting much gold out and finally, broke and discouraged, he gave up and sold his mind. The new owner dug in just a little over a foot further and struck the mother load that made the Comstock mine the richest mine in the West and Comstock one of the first millionaires in California history. So don't give up. Success may be only inches away, but the fact that there are thousands and thousands of alcoholics all over the world today living happy, sober lives as a result of following the principles of AA should be enough incentive to encourage the most stubborn unbeliever to at least try it. What have you got to lose? And you have a whole new life to gain. The friends you make in AA are forever. They're not just fair-weather friends, but will be forever. They're there for you.
Discussion
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