Three Frogs on a Log

The third step of the program Alcoholics Anonymous states,

"Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God, as we understood Him"

I have heard taking the third step described as making a decision only and that there is no action necessary to complete the step. Once the decision is made you are done. This concept is then further clarified like this. There are three frogs on a log. One of them makes a decision to jump How many frogs remain on the log? The answer is three. Only a decision was made. The frog never actually jumped. It is the same with step three. See how easy step three is?

While this may or may not be true about the frogs, it is definitely not true about taking the third step. At least not for me. When I worked, and then proceeded to try and live, the third step I did start with a decision but that was by no means the completion of the step. The Third Step Prayer (pg 63 in the big book, Alcoholics Anonymous) was very much a part of thoroughly completing the step. In the prayer I ask the old HP to guide my thoughts and actions and from now on help me keep my thoughts and actions in accordance with His will instead of my own. I don't know about you, but sometimes resisting doing what I want to do is hard work! Following that up with actually doing what I really don't want to do (think doing the next right thing) is even harder.

For me, the third step requires daily practice. Sometimes, hourly practice. I really prefer the steps that you do a time or two and then, for the most part, your'e done Steps eight and nine, for example. If you stole some money you pay it back and, ta-da!, you are done. (Yeah, I know, living amends are different, but still.) With step three, I'm often wrestling with my will over several things throughout the course of any given day. Or arguing with the old HP why doing it my way really is a good idea. Or telling Him just what His will really is on a certain point. Or attempting to bargain with Him: I'll do this one thing Your way, but then I'm doing this other thing my way and we will live happily ever after, right? Another one I'm good at goes like this: God, I offer myself to Thee, except this one tiny little part..... to build with me and to do with me as Thou wilt, as long as it isn't difficult or uncomfortable..... (Bondage of self is an entire post on it's own!)

All of this back and forth with the old HP doesn't seem like deciding to jump off a log. Seems like action to me.

Have a good and sober day.