December 22: The Phone Call You Can Make Today

Somebody you know is struggling. You’ve thought about calling them three times this week. You haven’t yet.

Maybe it’s a newcomer whose number you got at a meeting. Maybe it’s a friend who’s been quiet lately. Maybe it’s someone from church who just lost a parent. You’ve meant to call. You’ve thought about what to say. But the days keep slipping by.

The reasons feel reasonable. You’re busy. You don’t want to bother them. You’re not sure what to say. They probably have other people. Maybe tomorrow.

Proverbs is simple and direct. Don’t withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in the power of your hand to do it. If you can help, help. Now. Not someday.

Step Twelve can sound big. Carry the message. Practice these principles in all your affairs. It’s easy to picture something dramatic. Leading a group. Sponsoring several people. Speaking at a big meeting. Those are good. But most of the time, carrying the message looks like one phone call.

“Hey, I was thinking about you. How are you doing?” That’s it. That’s Step Twelve.

You don’t need the right words. People who are struggling rarely need advice. They need to know someone noticed. Someone remembered them. Someone cared enough to call. Your voice on the line can be the thing that gets them through a hard night.

The days before Christmas are especially hard for many people. Newcomers facing their first sober holiday. People who are grieving. People who are alone. A call from you might be the only one they get this week.

And it does something for you too. The program has always said that working with others is one of the best protections for your own sobriety. When you reach out, you get out of your own head. You remember where you came from. You remember why this matters.

One thing today

Make the call you’ve been putting off. Today, not tomorrow. Keep it simple: “I was thinking about you. How are you?” Then listen.

A prayer

Lord, I keep putting this off. Give me the nudge I need to make the call. Let my voice be a comfort to someone today. Don’t let me withhold good when it’s in my power to give it. Amen.

One call at a time is how Step Twelve works.

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