One of the great Archie Bunker quotes from All in the Family was, “We’re just sweeping dirty dishes under the rug.” Of course, the correct phrase would be to “sweep the dirt under the rug.” But we get the point.
Archie spoke for every addict who wants to take the easiest route to recovery. We stuff our stuff. We figure, as long as no one else can see it, the dirt isn’t really there. But every addict eventually learns that his dirt cannot be swept under the rug forever. No rug has ever been created that can cover that much dirt.
I recently came across this line from some guy named Anonymous: “Life’s greatest lessons are usually learned at the worst times and from the worst mistakes.”
Mr. Anonymous also said, “Mistakes have the power to turn you into something better than you were before.”
Your mistakes cannot simply be swept away. You have to deal with them – in the open. And remember, you are only as healthy as your secrets.
The Bible promises that “if we confess our sins, God is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). So quit sweeping and start confessing.
Recovery Step: You don’t have a broom big enough or a rug wide enough to sweep all your mistakes out of sight. Confess them. Deal with them. Then move on.
