Graceful Living

photo credit: Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #180 Central Theme: "God is but love and therefore so am I." Review of: #169 "By grace I live. By grace I am released." #170 "There is no cruelty in God and none in me."

Although I don't beat myself up over the past, occasionally reminders pop up which I'd rather not acknowledge. I used to have a rather volatile personality. In conversation with a dear friend, I related a few incidents of anger -- which caused me to remember even more occasions. It's certainly not something I'm proud of, but I am happy that those highly-emotional feelings are, for the most part, gone. Many factors were involved in moving past those times, including becoming a parent, stopping alcohol consumption, and a sincere desire to live a life centered in divine Love. I'm glad this has come up now, because I've noticed a certain hardening of heart recently. I could list many supposed reasons for this, but none of them matter to me. I'd rather skip all the causes and return to the one Cause: Love. Today I will reread ACIM workbook lessons #169 and 170, listening for inspiration while knowing "God is but love and therefore so am I." I want to feel what this means:”By grace I live. By grace I am released." May I fully accept this statement: "There in no cruelty in God and none in me."

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"Christian Science commands man to master the propensities, — to hold hatred in abeyance with kindness, to conquer lust with chastity, revenge with charity, and to overcome deceit with honesty. Choke these errors in their early stages, if you would not cherish an army of conspirators against health, happiness, and success." Science & Health Page 405:5-11

No Cruelty in Love

photo credit: Richard Quick

ACIM Workbook Lesson #170

“There is no cruelty in God and none in me.”

The belief in separation fosters fear, and fear and cruelty go hand in hand. We think we’re defending ourselves, our loved ones, values which are of importance to us, our way of life. To this defensive end, we are willing to attack others in our words and actions, not listening to the voice of sanity which divine Mind is forever supplying. This sentence from today’s workbook lesson explains many actions: “It is their enemies who are unreasonable and insane, while they are always merciful and just.” As I witness attack thoughts around me today, I will remember that those propounding such ideas believe they are justified in their defenses, and I will see them as a child of Love, knowing it is true, and praying they realize it, too.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“And we solemnly promise to watch, and pray for that Mind to be in us which was also in Christ Jesus; to do unto others as we would have them do unto us; and to be merciful, just, and pure.”

Science & Health with Key to the Scriptures, Page 497:24-28

June 19, 2014 - Choose Again

ACIM Workbook Lesson #170

“There is no cruelty in God and none in me.”

As I was cooking dinner, a neighbor stopped by and asked a question about my flower garden. I stepped outside to talk to her, forgetting about the food on the stove. When I came back in, it was burned. I immediately thought cruel thoughts about my sweet neighbor, blaming her for the ruined meal. Wait a minute!! She didn't ask me to walk outside and chat for ten minutes, and if she had, I could have thought to turn off the burner. I had many options in this situation. My reaction of immediately looking for someone to blame opened my eyes to what I've been doing the last few days. While working in the gallery last weekend, three people from my past came in: one took me back to school in the 60s, one to the 70s for the "years the locusts ate", and one to the 80s and a doomed love affair. My reaction of wanting to blame my neighbor for the burned food made me sit down and think. I can try to apportion blame, but the fact is I have slipped back in thought to a time when my heart was hardened and, very possibly, my reactions were cruel. I am very grateful for today's workbook lesson which has reminded me there is no cruelty in God, and none in me. I am a reflection of divine Love. I'm not responsible for anyone else's actions, only mine. What I'm doing right now redeems the past because now is all there is. I am grateful for these insights -- and the fact that I can "choose again"!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“And we solemnly promise to watch, and pray for that Mind to be in us which was also in Christ Jesus; to do unto others as we would have them do unto us; and to be merciful, just, and pure.”

Science & Health Page 497:24-28

June 19, 2013 - Kindness is Our True Nature

"Three Generations of Love"

ACIM Workbook Lesson #170

“There is no cruelty in God and none in me.”

It often seems difficult to accept that cruelty is not a part of so-called human nature. We have heard for so long that certain behaviors are built-in and nothing can be done about it. There is a new traffic cop in Eureka Springs who seems to be mean-spirited and rude. I have been trying to see past his actions to his true Being, but without much success. Recently I saw him crossing the street, heading toward a woman, and immediately I thought to myself, What's he going to do to her? He walked up to her and gently reached out and petted a little dog she had in her arms. The expression on his face was that of pure love and kindness. Yippee!! There it was! A symbol of his real Self, expressed in a sweet act. As we learn that we are actually spiritual, we are able to see through the facade built by fear into the face of Love. If it's true that what we put our attention on grows, that's where I want to be!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“And we solemnly promise to watch, and pray for that Mind to be in us which was also in Christ Jesus; to do unto others as we would have them do unto us; and to be merciful, just, and pure.”

Science & Health Page 497:24-28