When I came back to OA, what I hope will be the last time, I told my sponsor I needed to do everything differently than I had before. I was willing to do whatever it took to stay in the program and be fully engaged in my recovery.
She had one simple answer: “Do service.”
I honestly didn’t think that was possible. Because of my physical limitations and years of painfully low self-esteem, I didn’t believe there was anything I could do. I assumed service was for other people.
I had no idea there was a place for me.
Service has been one of the greatest gifts of my recovery. There have been many days when I didn’t feel like showing up for myself, but I showed up because someone else was counting on me. Time after time, service has gotten me through the virtual door, into the meeting, and helped me stay in recovery.
When I came back to OA, I was emotionally closed off. My best friend of nearly 30 years had just passed away, and I honestly believed that chapter of my life was over. I didn’t think I’d ever have friendships that deep again. Nothing will ever replace her, and I wouldn’t want it to. But service gave me something I never expected.
Because I said yes to service, I had the opportunity to meet people, work alongside them, and truly get to know them. Little by little, I let my guard down. I learned to trust again. I let people know the real me, and just as importantly, I let them love me in return.
Service also opened the door to laughter, fellowship, and friendships beyond the meetings. It gave us opportunities to spend time together, support one another, and build relationships that have become like family by choice. These are people I love deeply, and I truly believe many of them will be lifelong friends.
Service has also given me the opportunity to help others in ways I never knew I was capable of. Because of our virtual meetings, I discovered that my disability didn’t have to limit how I could serve. Instead, it opened new doors. I’ve learned all kinds of techie skills that I never imagined I’d enjoy, and I’ve had so much fun learning them. More importantly, those skills have allowed me to support meetings, make recovery more accessible, and help carry the message to other compulsive eaters.
What I’ve discovered is that every time I give, I receive even more in return. Service keeps me connected to the Fellowship, reminds me that I’m part of something bigger than myself, and strengthens my commitment to recovery.
Service has given me so much. It is my way of giving back, even if it’s only a small fraction of what OA has so freely given me. OA has given me recovery, purpose, hope, lifelong friendships, and a life I never thought was possible.
I used to believe there was nothing I could do.
Until one day, somebody told me that I could.
That changed everything.
In loving Service,
Renee D
Photo by Erik Mclean on Unsplash
©2026 Experience Strength & Hope Newsletter,
All rights reserved. Proudly sponsored by OA Foot Steps VIG #09670.
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The experience, strength, and hope expressed in this article, reflect the individual OA members and does not represent OA as a whole. Other OA groups and service bodies are welcome to reprint articles from Experience, Strength & Hope Newsletter without permission. When reprinting from other OA newsletters, be sure to credit the source.
