In recovery, we have 12 Traditions to ensure that no one tells anyone else what or how they “should” believe. Instead, we share our personal experience, strength, and hope. Therefore, the following anecdote is an example of what I believe. When I was eighteen, I ran away from home and joined the Army. My platoon had three Drill Sergeants, one of whom we’ll call DS Jackson. For those who are unfamiliar with Basic Training, the DS is the biggest badass who takes scrawny teenagers and molds them into hardened soldiers. One component, which must be passed in training, is marksmanship, which I couldn’t pass for the life of me. I have terrible aim. The term “sin” literally means – to miss the mark. I spent all week at the range missing the targets, certain that I would never pass the final test. After firing my last rounds, I approached DS Jackson in tears. Amazingly, he allowed this snotty, sobbing teenager to hug him as he told me that I passed. He was Jesus to me in this moment, love with skin on. God showed up for me that day in a big way. I know God directed the bullets for me because passing that test was beyond my capacity and graduating from Basic Training was a pivotal point in my life. Reflecting upon this one example helps me to trust God to do for me what I cannot do for myself. My responsibility is to hold my weapon steady, take aim, and fire.