Larry Winter

Imagine walking with Jesus as He speaks about our future. Another person approaches to join the group, and Tom notices. He asks, “What about him? Will he also follow us on the journey of Recovery?” Jesus doesn’t answer Tom’s question. Instead, He tells him gently, “Be concerned about your own faithfulness. Follow me through the […]

From time to time, I share updates about my health with you. Lately, I’ve been struggling with long-term constipation. The medical treatments I’ve tried haven’t helped, so I’ve turned to a functional medicine doctor. Right now, I’m in a 30-day treatment program using medicines meant to clear parasites, worms, and bacteria. Two weeks ago, I

Several of us were standing together when we heard Recovery, as if a friend, say to us, “Follow me.” Right away, we remembered something Recovery had told us just a few days earlier at a wedding feast. John, one of us, asked, “Recovery, where are you going?”Recovery answered, “Where I am going, you may not

Some of us enjoy listening to peers in Recovery when they use metaphors. One friend shared that when we are young, we can dress ourselves and go wherever we choose. But as we grow older, others may dress us, and we might need a walker or wheelchair to move from place to place. This can

There is a beautiful sixteenth-century oil painting that continues to offer hope to those of us who carry regret and seek forgiveness from God—our Higher Power. Tears of Saint Peter, painted by El Greco, portrays Peter weeping after denying Jesus three times. His eyes are lifted toward heaven, tears streaming, and his hands folded in

Looking to our peers in Recovery, we pray—not only for them, but also for all who hope to believe that Recovery can live in us through the practice of the Twelve Steps. May we all be one, as we are called to be one. Recovery is alive in us. This grace has been given through

We are watching Chad do a kind thing. By looking at the two of them, it’s clear that Chad isn’t deeply upset about Tom’s dishonesty. For Chad, it wasn’t such a big deal—but he also knows this kind of struggle can happen in Recovery. Chad never doubted Tom’s commitment. Instead, he feels compassion, knowing how

Recovery and Luke sit together by the quiet lake, alone—except for us, close enough to watch and listen. The evening air is cool, the water still. Recovery has asked Luke to join him at the shore, taking the first step. Luke, though eager for this moment, feels a flutter of anxiety. “Are you truly ready

As we listen, we may wonder if those of us in Recovery recognize the parallels between what is happening today and what has taken place in the past. At earlier Recovery gatherings, we learned “the discipline of hearing the voice of God—our Higher Power.” Those same words echo today, reminding us that God desires a

One of the greatest prescriptions for healing from mental health struggles or substance misuse is connection. Relationships with family, friends, and communities are cornerstones of Recovery. These connections look different for each of us, but all carry the power to restore and sustain us. Each year, in the town of Bessières, France, people gather to