Poetry

Steps of Sponsorship

As your sponsor, I do not 'fix' you, rather you are helping me to grow spiritually and be focused on something beyond my own selfishness."Be a sponsor? I can't do that!" Do not be discouraged. No one amoung us has been anything like a perfect sponsor. We are not saints. The point is that we have learned that we cannot maintain spiritual growth without giving it away to another person.

Here are the steps I took, which I now suggest to you as a program of sponsorship.

1. I shared my experience, strength and hope, so that you would know that admitting powerlessness was not the end, but the beginning.

2. I helped you to understand that there was a Higher Power and It was not me.

3. I showed by example that it was safe to turn you will and your life over to a Higher Power.

4. I guided you away from listing all the rationalizations that were your past life.

5. I listened openly and with acceptance to you innermost secrets.

6. I led you past the shame of past actions to the basic elements of your character.

7. I reminded you that God can and will make changes in you if you do your part in the process.

8. I encouraged you to forgive the wrongs done to you so that you could forgive yourself for your own wrongs.

9. I provided a sounding board for you to develop how your amends would take place.

10. I pointed out a way of living relatively comfortably in the world by keeping your side of the street clean every day.

11. I allowed you to see me pray and meditate, and see the spiritual program working in me.

12. I included you in my service work and let you experience the joy of working for the fellowship and sponsorship for yourself.