Reconstruction

 I’m not going to take that strong foundation I’ve poured with the help of my Architect, then build my walls out of plywood and masking tape. That’s what I am effectively doing when I think, “Okay, I’ve got this now - lemme do it my way”.

I have often bristled at people telling me what to do, or hinting that I may not know what I’m doing. That is a recipe for humble pie, and it tastes awful. How much better have things worked for me when I’ve admitted that I don’t know, and I ask for guidance? I’m in the process of learning. 

Step 9 asks me to follow up on previous steps, particularly Step 8, by making amends to those I’ve hurt. If I’ve built a shoddy wall, the onus is on me to tear it down and build it correctly. I have to first admit that the wall stinks, and take responsibility for the short cuts and low-quality materials I used. If anyone was harmed by virtue of the shoddiness of my product, I have to own the responsibility and take care of any problems thus created. Then I need to rebuild, this time following the Plan.

If I can continue to rebuild in this way, what I have will be strong enough to withstand whatever storms arise - and they will. The lights will stay on and the structure will endure, as long as I continue my preventive maintenance on a daily basis.


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