STEP THREE. I decide to turn my will and my life over to the care of God as I understand Him.

READING FOR STEP THREE


Big Book: Chapter 5, How it works. From: Page 60, line 21: "Being convinced... Thru: Page 63, line 31: ...was felt at once."

12&12: Step 3 


Step 3 has four key components:
· STEP 3a. ...Make a decision...
· STEP 3b. ...to turn your will and your life ...
· STEP 3c. ...over to the care of ...
· STEP 3d. ...God (as you understand Him).

STEP 3a. Make a decision... You may have heard this riddle in a meeting: "Five frogs were sitting on a log in their favorite pond. Two frogs decided to hop onto a warm rock. How many frogs were left on the log?" If you know anyone who answered, "three", suggest they read the riddle again. We alcoholics are experts at making decisions. Like, "I have decided to stop drinking!" "I have decided to bring my paycheck home to you and the kids, Honey!" You bet! If you have spent more than a week taking this step, you probably should just look upon it as a decision, but a decision that you reaffirm at least once each day. Then get on with step 4.
  STEP 3b Turn your will and your life over... If, in meetings, you listen carefully to the stuff that people turn over you will be amazed before you are half way through. They turn over the Highway Patrolman shining a red light in the mirror of their car, the landlord banging on the door for his rent, their fat-clogged arteries, smoke corrupted lungs, and all the other things they wish to be rid of. It almost seems some folks think God must be some kind of celestial junk man. (In addition to those who think he is the ethereal pimp that brings forth enticing partners.) Going back to the source, we discover that it is silent on turning over junk, lust, or anything else—just our very lives and wills. You offer up only your life force and your motivation. That doesn't really leave much of value, does it?

will [from our dictionary] [2] (wil) n., v. willed, wil

STEP 3d. God as you understand Him. As we pointed out in our writing about step 2, this phrase does not mean that you believe in "God", and it does not mean that you understand what you believe in. The phrase does mean this and only this, that you decide to turn your life and will over to the care of a spiritual power of your naming and conception rather than that of someone else. (Why not read page 47 again, and ask yourself just what is the cornerstone referred to there?)

We repeat: A.A. literature makes it clear that Alcoholics Anonymous is not a religion or a sect. AA possesses no theology or dogma to be swallowed by anyone. The term, God, is used as a convenient way of referring to the Spiritual Power of our respective choices. Even though you may have a special term for your Power, when it comes to discussing your Spiritual Power with others, you also are likely to use the term, God, as a matter of convenience. Writing: on a piece of paper, complete the statements below. It is understood that your conception of God is certain to change, so the statements refer only to your conception at the present time.

The Power Greater than myself in which I came to believe in step 2 is called _____________________________.

My Power is not : (set forth qualities your Power does not display, such as hateful, jealous, cruel, punishing....).

My Power is: (what He is like):

My goal is to pray _____ times each day, upon ___awakening ___retiring ___ eating ________________

I have adopted the following meditation technique (this is really part of step 11, but there is nothing wrong with thinking about and beginning meditation right from the beginning.):


Sealing the commitment. Most of us found the guidance on page 63 of the Big Book is very effective. We recommend that you seal your commitment with another person, and that you memorize and repeat A.A's third step prayer. If the archaic terms Thee and Thou are not to your liking, you shouldn't be dete