A few weeks ago, I chaired a meeting. The news of the day was heavy and had been heavy for months. I had a tooth that needed to be pulled, and I was feeling sad about most everything. So, I chose as my topic for the meeting: “What concrete things do you do when your life and the world seem so bad.”

I got some wonderful ideas: repeating the Serenity Prayer over and over, mediating on the Promises, walking a labyrinth, spending more time (not less) in prayer and meditation in the morning. Go to more meetings. With each person sharing what works for them, I felt lighter and less alone.

When my daughter was little, one day she asked me – What is the purpose of life?? I was shocked! How was it that a 5-year-old thought to ask that question!

So, I did what any mother stalling for time would do and asked, "What do you think the purpose of life is?”

"Oh, I think the purpose of life is to keep God company. God would be so lonely if there weren't trees and ants and people. Don't you think so?"

"Yes, I think you're right".

She smiled proudly and ran off playing, leaving me with my mouth hanging open.

What a thought! God needs us, needs our company! And we need God! Maybe, this life is all about relationships. Maybe the giving and receiving between nature and humanity and God is what we are meant to do. God keeps us company and we do the same with God. My daughter had cut through centuries of theology and philosophy to remind me that life was about the giving and receiving of care and love. That’s what the people at my meeting did for me – they shared their ideas and reconnected me to them and to God.

While I was driving home, I realized that there was another way that I often connect with God, and God with me. Singing! I listen to an oldies station and often realize that a love song could be a message from God and/or a message from me to God. I sing along and the world as it is fades away and I am connected to my higher power.

Lately, one song has been helping me see the world and life and sobriety in a way that lifts my spirits and makes me smile. It’s Bill Withers Lovely Day. I change only a few words:

When I wake up in the morning, love
And the sunlight hurts my eyes
And something without warning, love
Bears heavy on my mind

Then I look to you
And the world's alright with me
Just one look towards you
And I know it's gonna be
A lovely day (lovely day, lovely day, lovely day, lovely day)

When someone else instead of me
Always seems to know the way

Then I look to you
And the world's alright with me
Just one look to you
And I know it's gonna be
A lovely day (lovely day, lovely day, lovely day, lovely day).

Try it! Think of a favorite love song and see how it can connect you to God and watch how it can keep you in company with God.

Libbie S