Why I never quit on a sponsee!

My name's Joe and I'm a grateful recovering addict. (Hi Joe)

I was working with a friend of mine taking him through the steps today. And we met 2 times before this and he just wasn't getting it. I was worried, frustrated. I said to my self "this kid isn't going to make it". We were half way through step 11 and all of the sudden his eyes lit up and he said "I get it! I understand!". And it reminded me of this story I'd like to share, in case any of you are sponsoring anyone and getting worried:

There "was this old man who used to go duck hunting with his dog. And one morning he was hunting and he shot a duck over a lake, and the dog took of running on the water to get the duck. The man was astounded, and he shot another duck and the dog did it again. Then 3 times, 4 times, 5 times. The man was amazed. But he didn't want to tell anyone because they would think he was crazy. So he decided to invite his neighbor who was a using addict to see it for himself. He didn't tell him, he just said "let's go hunting tomorrow". the next morning, he and his neighbor were hunting and he shot a duck and the dog took off running over the water, and the man says "hey, did you see that?"

the addict says: "yeah! the damn dog can't swim!"

When every sponsee says that (and they do) I redouble my efforts, go over steps again, listen to their concerns. Because eventually I will shoot a duck, and my dog will run over the water, and the addict will jump up and say "Joe! Look, that dog is running on water!!"

And that's when I know I never have to worry about them again. I never have to worry about them relapsing because they had a spiritual awakening as a result of the steps. They have opened the channel of communication with their Higher Power which is the point of the steps, and the purpose of the program. Any program. With that I pass. :)