March 25, 2013 - Love and Grievances

"Made It To the Top - Mongolia"
photo by Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #84

Review: “Love created me like Itself.” and “Love holds no grievances.”

During extremely busy times in our tourist town, I sometimes feel like I'm suffering from overload after a day of talking to hundreds of people. Spring break is one of those times, as there are also many children involved in this give-and-take flow of energy and information. A day I particularly remember is one when I didn't want to talk to another person. I had retreated to my space behind the checkout counter, trying to look pleasant, but not truly feeling it. Then a family came in with a number of children, and a feeling of dread came over me. The dad had a small child, around a year old, on his shoulders. The baby was fussy and sort of crying as his dad came up to me and started asking questions about where to eat dinner. I began talking to the baby -- answering the dad's questions, but looking at the whining child. Suddenly joy spread through my chest -- and the baby started to giggle, too! No more was I a tired mortal wishing I could be somewhere else. And the baby suddenly seemed to realize he had the best seat in town and he was the loved of Love. Whew! Am I glad that spell was broken!!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“The rich in spirit help the poor in one grand brotherhood, all having the same Principle, or Father; and blessed is that man who seeth his brother's need and supplieth it, seeking his own in another's good. Love giveth to the least spiritual idea might, immortality, and goodness, which shine through all as the blossom shines through the bud. All the varied expressions of God reflect health, holiness, immortality-- infinite Life, Truth, and Love."

Science & Health Page 518:15-22

March 9, 2012 - No Grievances

ACIM workbook lesson #68:

“Love holds no grievances.”

Principia College Soccer 2006

[Marsha's thoughts]

How many of you can remember something said in grade school which hurt your feelings or humiliated you? With me, these things are becoming dimmer as they are less rehearsed. In years past, there were certain instances which played regularly in my mind at the slightest provocation. Although these remembrances are mostly gone now, what of the day-by-day events which seem to beg me to take offense? They jump up and down asking to be remembered and retold, wanting to hold us to the past through emotion. To hold a grievance, you must live in the past. I remember a line from a little book by Alan Lightman called Einstein's Dreams. He says that those who live in the past are condemned to live there alone.  And how could it be otherwise? Habitually recounting what used to be, or wishing for what never was, or wanting what could have been, are thought processes which are symptoms of holding grievances. Today's lesson commentary tells us that forgetting that I am Love, that everyone is Love, that everything is Love, is holding a grievance. I've witnessed this forgetfulness in someone very dear to me. It has caused what could be thought of as a persecution complex. She lives in great fear and dread, with constant feelings of guilt and all the defenses this causes her to enact, blaming everyone and everything for her unhappiness and discord. It seems to me that anyone would want to replace this with the knowledge of Love as their reality, letting all the rest fade away as mistaken belief. But apparently you have to want to see. So today I will hold thought to a return to Love, a figurative return, as I remember that I never left, and neither has anyone else. This Love replaces all grievances in my thought, and by this process I am safely and peacefully at One with God and all.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“The circumstance, which your suffering sense deems wrathful and afflictive, Love can make an angel entertained unawares.”

Science & Health Page 574:27-30