SPONSORSHIP/WHEN TO TAKE STEP 4
S P O N S O R
(sober person offering newcomer suggestions on recovery)
I was blessed when I came into the fellowship of A.A., people appointed themselves to be my sponsors. They taught me through demonstration how to stay sober (by helping another). They never had any fancy words of wisdom or told me what to do or not to do. They aided me in helping myself. They did not play god but I made one of them god.
I worked Step 1 for 28 years before coming to the fellowship. Upon entry in the fellowship I needed to learn "what is an alcoholic" to decide if I was one (pa 44, para 1, BB), what Step 1 meant by powerlessness (Dr.'s Opinion and Bill's Story) and what was meant by being unmanageable (pg 52, para. 2, BB). I don't believe it takes long go decide to go on or not (pg 48 top).
When I came in I did not believe in God. The Big Book says I could start where I was (pg's 46,47). It asked I just be willing to believe in the possible existence of God. I did.
Step 3 asked that I make a decision and that that decision was based on the a,b,c's (pg 60 BB) which summarize the Dr.'s Opinion and the first 4 chapters,(Steps 1 and 2) and to follow it up with vigorous action, (pg 63, para. 4), Step 4.
I knew with whom and what I was angry with and about but not why. I knew of whom and what I was afraid of (but not why) and whom I harmed in the sexual area (but not why). Step 4 is just a beginning, I was just supposed to look at my grosser handicaps to get me started. (pg 71 BB)
I believe a sponsors job is to guide an individual through the Big Book, thus through the Steps.
The sooner I go to the doctor, get examined, get a prescription, get it filled, start taking it, the sooner I will get well. I suggest folks take the Steps to get well, not wait to take the Steps once they get well.
It is not a difficult call as when to launch out on Step 4 [with a guide] and a "set" time can be used (right after Step 3).
Heck, later on page 75, the book says to rest for an hour.
A dear person in my life who has 10 or 11 less years in then I keeps reminding me that this stuff is just to simple for us :).
Be good to yourselves.
AA Love