Esperanza Area
of
Narcotics Anonymous

Ninth Step

We made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.

Ninth Tradition

NA, as such, ought never be organized, but we may create service boards or committees directly responsible to those they serve.

Ninth Concept

All elements of our service structure have the responsibility to carefully consider all viewpoints in their decision-making processes.

This addict was sitting on his porch one day during a very intense storm. The rain continued to pour, and the floods were soon to follow. He began to worry. But soon he decided to pray, as he had always done when he was in a bind, so pray he did -- for the rain to stop. The neighbors began to head for cover, but he went on praying, "Dear God, please make the rain stop".

A boat came by and someone yelled for him to come aboard, but he answered, "No, the rain will stop!" As they sailed away, he went back to praying; the water now up to his knees.

Hours later he was seen atop his roof, the water right below. Another boat arrived, and again someone pleaded with him to come along. Again he reassured them there was nothing to fear. "The rain will stop."

The next morning he was found dead. The rain indeed stopped, but a little to late for him, up in the great meeting place in the sky, he desperately searched for God. Upon finding him he asked, "Why did you let this happen to me? Why did you let me down?"

God said to him, "You know that I Love You and promised that I would take care of you!" A confused look came over his face. Then God asked him, "Didn't you see the two boats I sent for you?" ML, Chicago

Reprinted from the NA Way, October 1986