I live in a small town. For a year, I drove 85 miles one way to an SA meeting, and I still do so. I had wanted to start a meeting for a while, but how was I going to get the word out and who would come to this kind of meeting? I had been going to various other 12-Step meetings to hear the Steps and recovery. I got frustrated because all they talked about was drinking, drinking, drinking, and that was not MY problem! Still, I got a lot from them. I would encourage anyone who doesn’t have access to SA meetings to go to open meetings of other 12-Step fellowships.

While on a retreat, I realized I hadn’t given my desire for an SA meeting in my small town to God, so I surrendered it. Guess what? A couple of days later, a friend of mine from one of those other meetings called and said, “You know, I am obsessing on this issue and I would really love to have a meeting.” Surrender is beautiful, isn’t it? And it works like magic. So we had the first ever SA meeting in this small town at my house—a week after I surrendered it. There were 3 people there!

After some time, with more surrendering, I reached the point of being willing to sit alone for a meeting for months if I had to. I am a female recovering addict, and the thought of being alone and just any newcomer showing up (even one coming for the wrong reasons) was scary. Once a friend told me fear won’t do me any good, but God can.

So once again, I surrendered by releasing my fear. I did some calling, looking for referrals. I called someone who in his profession may deal with addiction issues. He told me he was a recovering sex addict and would do anything he could to help. God was really at work. After giving it to God some more and doing some calling, we had our first regular ongoing meeting last September. The meetings are small but full of recovery. Members shower me with gratitude often. I try to remain humble, for this was God’s doing, and I was just willing. It feels good that my willingness is making such a difference in not only my life, but in others as well!

Six months passed and on my first year sobriety date in March 2001, there were 7 people at that meeting, which was bigger or as big as the one I drove to “the big city” for. It was amazing. In those 6 months I only had to be alone twice. One was on a holiday (New Year’s Day). Both times I really was grumpy and glad to have some time alone to read. Now a second meeting is starting on Saturday nights. Opening the meeting will be done on a volunteer basis.

To me it feels like a miracle, but really it is just God at work because I let Him.