Shadows

photo credit: Richard Quick

ACIM Workbook Lesson #350

"Miracles mirror God's eternal Love. To offer them is to remember Him, And through His memory to save the world."

When a person lives far away from you and you have not communicated with them for quite some time, it’s easy to convince yourself that hard feelings from the past are dead and gone and you can rest easy knowing that you have forgiven them. But when they call you up unexpectedly and you hear their voice again, memories tend to flood back in and suddenly you remember exactly why it is you’re happy not to have spoken to them for 20 years! And so I am happy to read today’s topic and embrace the memory of divine Love rather than my ego-ridden memories of words and actions I thought had been released. I’ve reached the point in pondering the event where I’m smiling when I think of this dear old woman, and hopefully, very soon, I’ll be seeing her as I’ll be seeing myself: as an expression of Love, a thought of Mind, a whisper of Spirit.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“The miracle introduces no disorder, but unfolds the primal order, establishing the Science of God’s unchangeable law. Spiritual evolution alone is worthy of the exercise of divine power.” Science & Health Page 135:6-10

The Miracle of Love

"Protennoia"
creation of Sandy Wythawai Starbird

ACIM Workbook Lesson #349

"Today I let Christ's vision look upon all things for me and judge them not, but give each one a miracle of love instead."

Every day we’re exposed to situations and people which seem to beg for our judgment! I’ve been surprised recently to learn that some religions teach that this is a good thing for us to be doing, that they are telling their flocks to go forth and correct “bad” behavior. Even if I’ve never thought it was my place to save anyone, I certainly have judged others in a multitude of ways, both silently and vocally. It’s an easy habit to fall into, particularly when we’re trying to feel better about ourselves and, hence, think about how much better off we are than “they” are. But realizing that I’m okay makes it easier to admit that you’re okay, too! Setting my intention first thing in the morning in accordance with Love helps me to live in grace throughout the day, and every moment IS a miracle.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“A miracle fulfills God’s law, but does not violate that law. This fact at present seems more mysterious than the miracle itself.” Science & Health Page 132:31-1

Grace Suffices

photo credit: Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #348

"I have no cause for anger or for fear,

For You surround me. And in every need

That I perceive, Your grace suffices me."

I see a world bathed in peace and contentment. There are no conflicts because everything good and pure is done for the good of everyone, and nothing contrary can be done because we do not have such thoughts in the face of beauty and Love. There is no world of separation because we are all One and happily recognize this Truth. I have always felt as though there is a tipping point in mass consciousness, a point in which everyone sees their perfection and recognizes there is no difference in their own self and the self of that person over there. I feel like we're getting close!

Mary Baker Eddy quote: "The great miracle to human sense is divine Love, and the grand necessity of existence is to gain the true idea of what constitutes the kingdom of heaven in man. This goal is never reached while we hate our neighbor." 

Science & Health Page 560: 11-13

Straighten My Mind

photo credit: Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #347

"Anger must come from judgment. Judgment is the weapon I would use against myself, to keep the miracle away from me."

I was contemplating anger recently, while attempting to wrap a thin copper wire full of LED lights on my Christmas stick (as I call a beautiful branch which I use as a table-top tree during the holidays). At one point, I felt like I was caught in a cat’s cradle, a string game which I always found frustrating as a child. In today’s workbook lesson, we are told to ask for our mind to be straightened. Rather than succumb to the irritation I was feeling toward myself for not completing my task in a Martha-Stewart-like fashion, I stopped and examined why this was bothering me. Well, it was because I didn’t want to be doing it! I was using my judgment as a weapon against myself by looking at a list of things I decided needed to be done and then rushing through to accomplish that end. This is definitely NOT in compliance with living in the moment, a way of life which I particularly enjoy, knowing that every detail will be attended to in a timely fashion when I surrender my plans to divine Mind. And so I did! And I’m happy and peaceful now. What a relief!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"Material man is made up of involuntary and voluntary error, of a negative right and a positive wrong, the latter calling itself right. Man's spiritual individuality is never wrong."

Science & Health Page 491:7-10

Extending Peace

photo credit: Kailey Jones

ACIM Workbook Lesson #346

"Today the peace of God envelops me, And I forget all things except His Love."

I am so grateful for this topic today, telling me that the peace of God is all there is and reminding me of the all-encompassing power of Love. A few days ago I self-righteously engaged in the correction of a cousin who lives far away. He posted something to social media which I deemed to be inaccurate and I felt obligated to tell him why this was. He asked why I was being oppositional and I told him it was because his comments were incorrect and inflammatory. It seems I momentarily forgot that I cannot change anyone’s thinking but my own, and I regret doing so. Today I shall climb down off of my high horse and remember kindness is more important than my perception of right and wrong. Through forgiveness, I extend peace!

Mary Baker Eddy quote: "Love, redolent with unselfishness, bathes all in beauty and light. "

Science & Health Page 516:12-13

Miracles Everywhere

photo credit: Arthur Lau-Sed

ACIM Workbook Lesson #345

"I offer only miracles today,

For I would have them be returned to me."

"Do you think we live in a police state?" These were the opening words of a phone call. Yes, of course, was my response. These are the types of conversations I  generally walk away from, but since he had just had this realization and was upset, I stayed with him on the subject. While I did express more strong opinions than I generally am willing to admit I have, the conversation was, for the most part, a cry for him to return to Love. I see our current mortal, mental state as a reflection of the fear we harbor; a fear which is fed by most everything in daily life. I talked to him of tipping points, and mass consciousness, and our true consciousness as an expression of God. We could  go on and on about the material conditions, causes, and solutions, but to get to the heart of it all takes spiritual sense, which cannot be gleaned from intellectual exercises. And that's where I see the miracle: the revelation which reveals the omnipresence of divine Mind in every situation, no matter how dire physical sense tells us it is.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“The great miracle, to human sense, is divine Love, and the grand necessity of existence is to gain the true idea of what constitutes the kingdom of heaven in man.”

Science & Health Page 560:11-15

Universal Love

ACIM Workbook Lesson #344

"Today I learn the law of love; that what I give my brother is my gift to me."

A friend brought me an interesting question, which I’d never heard before. He said one of his friends had asked him to pray for them, that they had an incurable disease and they wanted his prayers. He explained to the person that he was an atheist and he couldn’t do that. They begged him to do so anyway. He called me wanting to know what to do, mainly wondering what to say to them in order to not hurt their feelings by refusing. I assured him it wasn’t necessary to believe in a big guy in the sky which would grant favor if he asked; that it was perfectly acceptable to tell his friend he would send good thoughts to the universe, or something along those lines. Anything which expresses love is a gift, and one which may be given in a multitude of ways. Honestly expressing love to those in need is a gift which circulates freely to them, back to us, and out to everywhere!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“Truth has no consciousness of error. Love has no sense of hatred. Life has no partnership with death. Truth, Life, and Love are a law of annihilation to everything unlike themselves, because they declare nothing except God.” Science & Health Page 243:25-29