March 19, 2012 - Seeing with Love

ACIM workbook lesson #78

"Let miracles replace all grievances."

[Marsha's thoughts]

Heather and Aaron in South Africa
Photographer unknown

Today's lesson asks us to choose one person and see them as God sees them, rather than with all the muddled grievances we may be holding. This person might be a co-worker who seems to find ways to undermine us regularly. Perhaps this person is a good friend whose behavior seems irritating to us. Maybe it's a neighbor who allows their dog to poop in our yard. Gosh, there are so many it's hard to choose just one!!  The circumstance really doesn't matter though, because when we choose to see the miracle of Spirit, the false testimony of material sense disappears. It seems that once we fall into the trap of expecting "bad" behavior from others, that's what we get! A fellow shopkeeper and I were discussing this last week. It seemed that the people coming into her place were careless with merchandise, loud, dull, and not contributing to the fun-loving atmosphere we strive to achieve in our sweet tourist town. And so do we get what we expect to receive? Can changing that expectation change the result? Or is the result the same and we're simply seeing it differently? I'm not sure it matters, as we're not seeing a result and trying to change it. We're seeing with God's eyes, and with that sight we are led to do what needs to be done, in every circumstance. It's been said in so many ways by so many people throughout time. Ghandi tells us to be the change we wish to see. Rumi tells us to be with those who help our being. Jesus tells us the kingdom of heaven is within. Say it any way you choose, while you see it with Love.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"Human affection is not poured forth vainly, even though it meet no return. Love enriches the nature, enlarging, purifying, and elevating it. The wintry blasts of earth may uproot the flowers of affection, and scatter them to the winds; but this severance of fleshly ties serves to unite thought more closely to God, for Love supports the struggling heart until it ceases to sigh over the world and begins to unfold its wings for heaven."

Science & Health Page 57:22-30