May 27: Do You Love Me?
Maybe you slipped. Maybe you said you’d never drink again, and then you did.
“So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs. He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep. He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.”
Peter had sworn he’d never deny Jesus. Even if everyone else did, not him. That same night, he denied knowing Jesus three times, by a charcoal fire, to a servant girl. Then he heard the rooster crow and went out and wept bitterly.
After the resurrection, Jesus met Peter again, by another charcoal fire, on a beach. And He asked him three times: do you love Me?
Three denials. Three questions. Jesus wasn’t rubbing it in. He was giving Peter a way back. Each answer, Lord, You know I love You, undid one of the denials. And each time, Jesus gave him work to do: feed My sheep.
Jesus didn’t say, you failed, so you’re done. He said, you failed, and I’m still sending you.
If you’ve had a slip, this story is for you. Shame will tell you it’s over. That you’ve wasted everything. That you’re a hypocrite for even trying. Jesus says something else. Come to the fire. Let’s talk. Do you love Me?
First, practical things. If you’ve gone back to drinking heavily every day, don’t try to stop on your own all at once. Talk to a doctor.
Safety first. If you drink heavily every day, stopping suddenly can be dangerous. Talk to a doctor before you quit.
Then, tell someone. Pick up the phone and call a person who knows your story. Don’t wait. Shame grows fast in secret.
Then go back to what was working. Meetings. Prayer. Calls. The steps. If you were in the middle of Step Five, you can still do it. You might even add the slip to what you share.
Your count may start over, but God’s love for you doesn’t. The days you were sober were real. You can begin again today.
For more help, read what to do after a relapse.
One thing today
Tell one person in recovery the truth about where you are today. Then go to a meeting within the next twenty-four hours.
A prayer
Jesus, I failed You. I said I wouldn’t, and I did. Thank You that You still ask, do you love Me? Yes, Lord, You know I do. Restore me, and send me back out. Amen.
Coming back is part of Step Five too: honesty about where you are.
Talk it through with Jimmy or Sarah — first month free
Jimmy and Sarah are AI sponsors who know the Twelve Steps and the Bible. They'll listen, walk the steps with you, and keep pointing you to real people: a meeting, a sponsor, a church.
Free to download · first month free, no card · adults 18+
After the first month, talking with Jimmy or Sarah needs Plus ($9.99/month or $59.99/year).
Get the daily reading by email
One short reading a day: a verse, a few honest words, one thing to do and a prayer. Unsubscribe any time.
We'll send one email to confirm. We never share your address.