Many years ago, during the early days of my sobriety, I sought help by joining a support group. They provided me with valuable advice, urging me to avoid becoming too hungry, angry, lonely, or tired—an acronym known as HALT, which is also a common reminder for parents of small children.
After a card game at the group’s clubhouse, I stepped outside to gather my thoughts and calm my nerves. I was torn between satisfying my hunger at a nearby burger joint or returning inside to combat my loneliness.
In that moment of uncertainty, I decided to follow the group’s guidance and offered a quick prayer: “God, I really don’t know what to do right now. Please help me.
” Just five seconds after my heartfelt plea, I heard a distinct “flump-flump-flump.” A young woman had pulled up across the street with a flat tire. Looking up, I realized the message was clear: “You want me to change a tire? Alright… I guess I can do that.
” As I changed the tire, my hunger still loomed in the background, creating a tension between my immediate needs and the comfort of the support group. Before long, the tire was fixed.
The young woman turned to me and said, “I don’t have any money, but I feel like you deserve something for helping me out.
”I waved her off, saying, “Oh no, it was no trouble at all. I’m just glad to help.” I didn’t mention the strange twist of fate that had accompanied my prayer.
To my surprise, she continued, “I may not have money, but I do have a cheeseburger you can have, I accepted the burger and it did serve a great purpose.”
This could be rightly described as an arrangement by the Universe to address simultaneously, two issues from two people that each needed what the other had at that point in time.
Truly each other is all we’ve got. Let’s keep being kind to one another in a very consistent manner.