Merciful, Just, and Pure

"Moab"

ACIM Workbook Lesson #170 “There is no cruelty in God and none in me.”

The belief in separation fosters fear. 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 both 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, 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

Amazing Grace

photo credit: Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #169

“By grace I live. By grace I am released.”

“Grace is acceptance of the Love of God within a world of seeming hate and fear.” [ACIM] In having an anything-goes conversation with a group of friends, it became apparent that we have different ways of talking to people with whom we disagree. In recent months, I have made an extreme effort to listen to others rather than immediately responding with admonitions and corrections of what I deem to be erroneous thought. I’ve written in the past that a favorite statement in such situations is, You may be right about that. This is something I don’t say anymore. Usually in the face of “alternative facts” I will say something like, If that’s true, we need to do something about it. And then I’ll suggest we research the topic and begin a dialogue about it. This has opened up a whole world of communication I would not normally be willing to have. “By grace I live. By grace I am released.” [ACIM] These conversations feel like amazing grace to me!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“The miracle of grace is no miracle to Love.” 

Science & Health Page 494:15

Claiming Grace

photo credit: Richard Quick

ACIM Workbook Lesson #168

 in Miracles“Your grace is given me. I claim it now.”

I remember a young woman who came in my gallery one evening and told me that she loved art, but that she didn't have any talent because she had been sexually abused as a child. I smiled at her and she said, No, really, every day for years and years! I told her I wasn't smiling about what she had said or what had been done, but I was smiling at the part of her which had never been touched by any of this. I told her everyone has tons of talent and for her to continue trying things until she found something she really loved -- and then keep on doing it! Her eyes lit up as she listed things she loved and wanted to do. By practicing kindness when faced with hardness of heart, meekness when those around us are aggressive, loving those who seem unlovable, and paying it forward at every opportunity, we acknowledge the grace which is our true heritage. By this, we learn what it feels like, not just what it means.

Mary Baker Eddy quote: “What we most need is the prayer of fervent desire for growth in grace, expressed in patience, meekness, love, and good deeds." Science & Health Page 4:3-5

One Life

photo credit: Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #167 “There is one life, and that I share with God.”

This topic reminds me of being in the market check-out line when the kid sacking groceries was trying on the checker's glasses. He says he doesn't know how anyone can see through them, and she tells him they're reading glasses and he'll find out some day.  He says, "I hope God comes before that happens." The checkout lady says, "That's horrible! No, that's wonderful. No ..." At this point, I also was somewhat speechless! She had interpreted his comment to mean he hoped he died before he lost his 20/20 vision. But upon reflection, he could have meant other things -- perhaps "the rapture"?? The whole conversation reflected our muddled, confused thought. He was assuming that getting older requires a loss of sight, she was assuming he wanted to die before he was old, he was believing God was somewhere separate from him — well,  erroneous assumptions are rife.  Rather than wonder what their conversation meant, I looked at my Life, realizing that to relish every moment is enough.  Using the word Life as a synonym for deity helps me see that there is no separation and I can relax into the ever-constant wonder of Love!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“Nature voices natural, spiritual law and divine Love, but human belief misinterprets nature. Arctic regions, sunny tropics, giant hills, winged winds, mighty billows, verdant vales, festive flowers, and glorious heavens, — all point to Mind, the spiritual intelligence they reflect. The floral apostles are hieroglyphs of Deity. Suns and planets teach grand lessons. The stars make night beautiful, and the leaflet turns naturally towards the light.” Science & Health with Key to the Scriptures Pages 240:1-9

The Gift of Joy

photo credit: Richard Quick

ACIM Workbook Lesson #166 “I am entrusted with the gifts of God.”

Laughter is contagious, don’t you think? Most of us have “gotten the giggles” and been unable to stop laughing. There are numerous videos on the internet where people are sharing laughter in the most joyous of ways. I particularly like one which shows people’s reactions when someone tells them they are beautiful. The sheepish grins which emerge and the eyes lighting up are sure to bring a smile to my face and an expansion of my heart no matter how many times I see it. Joy, laughter, happiness — these are given freely to us as a part of our divine heritage. Today I will make the most of every opportunity I have to give the gift of joy to others. I shall give this freely, with no reservations or restrictions!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"Happiness is spiritual, born of truth and love. It is unselfish; therefore it cannot exist alone, but requires all mankind to share it." Science & Health with Key to the Scriptures Page 57:18-21

I Know Nothing

photo credit: Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #165 “Let not my mind deny the Thought of God.”

When I was a school-aged child, I never wanted to admit I didn't know things. Most of the education I received seemed more like a reminder, rather than learning new information. So when I didn't understand something because it actually seemed foreign, I wouldn't admit it. Only in the past few years have I been comfortable with the acknowledgement, “I know nothing”. Now it’s a wonderful relief and freedom to say those words -- both silently in prayerful humility and out loud as an odd sort of open confessional. I'm so grateful for this cleansing of false pride and egoism. I was full of self-importance. Now I welcome into my mind every thought that divine Mind has to offer me. I love this type of education!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“Mind, joyous in strength, dwells in the realm of Mind. Mind's infinite ideas run and disport themselves. In humility they climb the heights of holiness.” Page 514:6-9

Science and Religion

photo credit: Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #164 “Now are we one with Him Who is our Source."

We hear much talk nowadays about the melding of science and religion. In their traditional meanings, this would be impossible. Religion has taken on too many facets to be purely the knowledge of God. On many levels, it has become more political than spiritual. Science, on the other hand, means knowledge, but since its definition includes rational explanations and predictable results, it has long been left out of spirituality. While typical religion may never qualify under this definition, the knowledge of God certainly does. When Mary Baker Eddy discovered the science of the Christ in the 1860s, she first called it moral science. In her 600 pages of explanation, this science is shown to meet all the criteria to be called such. In this time of rapidly shifting perceptions, many people are grasping what this means and embracing the beauty and perfection of it. Mary would be pleased!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“When the final physical and moral effects of Christian Science are fully apprehended, the conflict between truth and error, understanding and belief, Science and material sense…will cease, and spiritual harmony reign.” Science and Health Page 288:10–14