Step 7: Handing Over My Shortcomings (and the Keys to My Mess)
The Art of Asking (and Not Just for Directions)
Ah, Step 7—the moment “we humbly ask God, or our Higher Power, to remove our shortcomings”. I don’t know about you, but the word “humbly” always makes me pause. It’s like the universe is saying, “Okay, you’ve tried it your way, and now you need to politely hand over the keys and let the big guy, (or girl), upstairs take the wheel.” And let’s be honest, I was driving like a maniac in a car with no brakes for a while there. So yeah, it’s time.
In Step 7, I’m basically saying, “Alright, Dudette, here’s a list of all the things I’ve identified as ‘not great.’ Feel free to take ‘em.” It’s like handing over your worst habits, personality quirks, and messy emotional baggage, hoping my Higher power will Marie Kondo them and say, “This no longer sparks joy—out it goes!”
From Step 2 to Step 7: Faith, But Make It Funny
Remember Step 2, when we came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity? Well, Step 7 is the sequel we’ve all been waiting for. It’s like the universe saying, “You believed I could restore your sanity, now trust me to handle the rest.” No pressure, right?
Honestly, I used to picture my Dudette rolling up Her sleeves, taking a deep breath, and saying, “Alright, let's see what we’ve got here…” while I nervously offered up my shortcomings like, “Uh, can you please fix these?”
I learned that Higher power’s not expecting me to be perfect (thank goodness). It’s more like She’s asking, “Are you ready to let Me help you out, or do you want to keep wrestling with this on your own?” And let’s be real—when it comes to wrestling with my shortcomings, I’m not exactly WWE material.
The Gift of Peace (After Handing Over the Mess)
Here’s the best part: after I stopped clinging to my defects like they were some weird security blanket, I felt lighter. There’s something incredibly peaceful about just saying, “Okay, I don’t have to fix everything by myself. I can ask for help, and it’s totally okay.”
It’s like a weight lifts when you stop trying to control your mess, and instead, you let that Higher power step in and sweep things up. I mean, They’re probably the ultimate cleaner-upper, right? (I imagine Her with a spiritual Swiffer, taking care of all the cobwebs I’ve been ignoring for years.)
And Then… Even More Peace
But wait—there’s more! After I humbly asked my Higher power to remove my shortcomings, even more tranquility showed up. It’s as if She said, “You think that’s peaceful? Watch this!” The more I let go, the more space there was for calm, joy, and, dare I say it, humor in my life.
I used to worry that if I let go of my shortcomings, I’d be left with a void of… well, nothing. But nope! She’s like, “Here’s some serenity, toss in a little patience, and hey, why not add a sprinkle of laughter while we’re at it?”
Humility: The Unexpected Bonus
Now, I won’t lie—humility was not at the top of my wish list when I started this journey. I mean, humility? I thought, “Can’t I just skip that part and go straight to the part where I’m enlightened and wise?” But working through Step 7 taught me that humility is the key to so much more. It helps me not just in my relationship with my Higher power but also in my relationships with others.
When I’m not constantly trying to prove that I’m right or that I’ve got it all figured out (spoiler: I don’t), there’s room for connection, understanding, and yes, humor. It turns out that admitting I’m not perfect—and don’t need to be—is way more freeing than I ever imagined.
The (Funny) Truth About Shortcomings
Look, I’ll probably need to take this Step more than once, because let’s face it, some of my shortcomings are like boomerangs—they keep coming back when I least expect it. But each time I ask for help, I grow a little more. And if She’s cool with me needing a few tries, then maybe I should be too.
So here’s the takeaway: Step 7 isn’t about fixing yourself overnight. It’s about asking for help, trusting that your Higher power’s got this, and being okay with a little humility along the way. Oh, and don’t forget to laugh—it makes the process way more fun. And hey, if She’s got a sense of humor (and I’m pretty sure She does.. see platypus pictures), I think we’re going to be just fine.
