My Concept of God

My Concept of God

By Andrea Tadpole-Broussard 

12/3/24

I am writing this on my own page, where my beliefs and thoughts about God are all that matter. I am not pointing anyone out since I have the utmost respect for others points of view, even if we differ. I am just going to share my heart. So, here goes...

If one were to reread what I wrote called "My Promise Ring" one would see that God is mentioned many times. I happened to call what I experienced manifestation, someone else might call it name it claim it, others call it an answered prayer. I agree with all of those.

Honestly, I believe we all pray all the time. I read a little book years ago. It was about the Lord's Prayer. The last page said, "If every thought is a prayer, what have you been praying for all day?" Think about it. Deep, huh?

For me, nothing is "new age". It is all about how I personally experience my Higher Power who I choose to call God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit each day. If I lock God in a tiny box in my mind because I am afraid I will go to hell if I open my Spirit and mind and ask Him to enlighten and awaken a deeper walk with Him, then I am serving the wrong god (notice the little "g"). Either God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit are all powerful, all loving and all forgiving, or I am screwed. 

I learned a long time ago not to limit God. I mean He rules the Universe! What am I afraid of, that He might bless me?! I also realized that the very people I judge the harshest, turn out to be my greatest teachers. Everyone has their own journey with God. He comes to all of us individually, in the way we each personally understand Him. What works for you might not work for me and vice-versa.

I simply do my best each day to seek my Higher Power with all my heart and be open to what He shows me. Some days are better than others. That is where the beautiful gift of God's grace comes in. 

One last thing...I believe that God loves me because of who He is. It has nothing to do with me and how good or bad I am. I spent many years drinking and drugging and kept telling myself when I get good enough I will get help and get back to God. Today, I understand that God loved me just as much when I was face down in my puke drunk and high as He does today with over 38 years sober and clean. He came to me where I was and picked me up with the help of angels on earth along the way. For that, I am truly grateful and I why I cling so tightly to the freedom and love my Higher Power has taught me. I will never apologize for my concept of God. It is mine and mine alone.

In Memory of Randy Joe Rice

In Memory of Randy Joe Rice 

By Andrea Tadpole-Broussard 

12/2/24

Randy Joe Rice and I met many years ago in AA just as we were both starting our journey in sobriety. Over the years, he was a trusted friend of my family. I spent many evenings at a local diner drinking coffee with him and many others for the "meeting after the meeting". We laughed through the good times and held eachother when we cried through the hard times. 

Randy was very intelligent and a proud English teacher. I used to jokingly call him the grammar police. He was also an awesome musician and artist. Randy was this big, burly man who could look menacing when needed. Yet, he was a mushy marshmallow inside. He had a heart of gold.

Randy exemplified the altruism that AA taught us. Let me give you an example of how he lived the program. When my daughter was 15 she became pregnant. At that time, you had to have passed the 8th grade reading test in order to get your drivers license. She desperately needed hers with a baby coming. Sadly, we found out she had not passed the test she took years before.

While at a meeting after the meeting one night I was explaining this to everyone and asked if anyone knew a good, cheap reading tutor. I heard Randy shout from the other end of the table, "Don't look any further. I'll do it!" Randy came to our home twice a week without fail for several months and taught my daughter to read. He never allowed us to pay him. He said it was the least he could do since God was so good to him. A couple of months before my daughter had her little girl she took the reading test, passed with flying colors and got her drivers license. Today, my beautiful daughter is is in college working toward her Nursing degree.

Had it not been for the unconditional love and time that Randy took to help my daughter, she would not be where she is today. I will be forever grateful to Randy for the gift he gave my family all those years ago. 

It is easy in the world we live in today to grow cold and indifferent. Randy was and still is a reminder to me to stay open and give what I can to those in need. My life was so blessed by him. I know he is rocking out with Lord now. Yet, I am going to miss him deeply.

My heart and prayers are with his wife and family. Rest In Power my dear friend. Give my Dad a hug for me when you see him!

~ Andrea 💜🙏🏼😢