At a recent meeting, a fellow shared, starting from an interesting point of departure.

He had a piece of paper in front of him. He said, “I should first apologize to the author of this parable; it is a familiar parable, and I was thinking about it this morning and adapted it to our Program. Then he read from the paper,

AAs sprinkle seeds of hope. Some seeds fall near the path; they hear the message, but they are not close, and the devil lurks and takes the words of hope out of their hearts. Some seeds fall on rocky soil; initially, they receive the word with joy, but the soil is rocky and unbroken; they sprout but have no roots, so they believe for a time but fall away in a time of difficulty. Some seeds fall amongst the thorns; they sprout and grow but are choked with cares, riches, and pleasures of life and bring no fruit to perfection.

But seeds that fall on good ground grow into an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.

He continued, “This parable struck me this morning in my meditation and prayer period. The devil scoops up seeds by the wayside; seeds that fall on rock cannot root firmly and, not having deep roots, wither and fall away; seeds among the thorns, riches and pleasures of life are choked off; those on good ground having heard the message of hope, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.”

“When I go to meetings, my soil is improved.

“The rocks are broken up into good soil, the thorns of life are weeded out, and the demon booze is kept away. When I go to meetings, the ground is tilled, weeded, and fertilized, and my soul is allowed to grow and bear fruit.

“So, AA meetings are essential.

“The other lesson is in the final words of the parable, ‘bring forth fruit with patience.’ Growing takes time, and time takes time.

“So, I am here and growing. Growing in patience and absorbing the sunlight of the spirit.”

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