Family Obligations 

A spiritual life which does not include family obligations may not be so perfect after all. – ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS, p. 129. 

I can be doing great in the program, applying it at meetings, at work, and in service activities, and find that things have gone to pieces at home. I expect my loved ones to understand, but they cannot. I expect them to see and value my progress, but they do not, unless I show them. Do I neglect their needs and desires for my attention and concern? When I am around them, am I irritable or boring? Are my “amends” a mumbled “Sorry,” or do they take the form of patience and tolerance? Do I preach to them, trying to reform or “fix” them? Have I ever really cleaned house with them? “The spiritual life is not a theory. We have to live it.” Alcoholics Anonymous, p. 83. – Daily Reflections. © 1990. Alcoholics Anonymous World Services. 

Topic Discussion Worksheet 

AA. Big Book. Chapter 9. The Family Afterward. 

Experiencing freedom from guilt. 

Appears like this Reflection engages proactively working Steps Eight and Nine. 

Step Eight. Made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became willing to make amends to them all. 

Step Nine. Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.

Family. 

Dysfunction. 

Praying for a Miracle. 

Al-Anon 

Many family members of alcoholics get stuck at Step Three. 

Step Three. Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him. 

We Are Family 

Sister Sledge 

How to Love Your (Dysfunctional) Family Well 

(and Every Family Is Dysfunctional). 

Be Present. 

Share Yourself. 

Welcome the Stranger. 

Engage in Dialogue, Not Debate. 

Practice Self-Care. 

 – Kale Uzzel. St. Louis Metro Baptist Assn. 

 

May the Lord Bless Your Paths in This World!

Peace and Joy! Pastor Michael Hanus. Spirit of Peace.