thanks for this, lee. i have sponsored a gal for 16 years seeing her tormented soul because she kept returning to drink. it almost cost her her life. i had multiple times used everything we know about our disease,etc. to help her. and that the only hope for life was to abstain. she wanted to stay sober and then she'd go out again. she kept bargaining with her higher power. the only thing left for her was death. i drove to be with her 2 christmas's ago because i knew her time was near. i left her home thinking i would not ever see her alive again. i was so very, very sad. only a miracle could save her. i recall telling her previously to pray and ask to be healed. she kept saying i am praying but there's no answer. i said keep praying and no deal making. ask for the miracle. you can't do this alone. at the lowest point she had her spiritual awakening. her obsession was lifted. everything she learned all those years in AA and with me suddenly was applied. it is truly a miracle. her prayer was answered and in a magnificent way. she continues to be sober now 2 years. her involvement and service work started from her first day sober. we both cried tears of joy. it was so incredibly powerful.