Miracles News

July-September, 2004

Highlighted Minister — Rev. Barbara Kraetsch

by Rev. Barbara Kraetsch, O.M.C.

Rev. Barbara KraetschI have been on a journey of learning to trust for almost my entire life. I first recognized a need within me to try to make the world a better place through purposeful work when I was a young girl. At that time the desire to help others took the form of wanting to be a lawyer when I grew up. I was helpful to the world in many ways when I became an adult, especially in raising children, but not through career. The girlhood dream to become a lawyer did not materialize until I graduated from law school at 42.

My years as a lawyer were not as spiritually satisfying as I thought they would be. I enjoyed studying the law, but not the ego games of the legal system. I prayed for answers. I had a great spiritual awakening as I worked with the books of Joel Goldsmith. This experience led me out of the practice of law several years later.

In the years after leaving law, I had a period of introspection, prayer and physical healing. During this time I left my mind open to my next avenue of service. In early 2000 I heard about Pathways of Light and its work being inspired by ACIM from a fellow participant at a spiritual workshop. When I learned about the Pathways ministerial training program I heard a calling to take it up. There were many questions about this from those around me but I felt strongly that I had to honor may own call. At that time I became a serious ACIM student and recognized the principles had been at work in my life all along. I didn’t know what I would do as a minister, but I felt I would be guided.

The ministerial training itself opened me up to greater trust in inner Wisdom. I had many powerful insights and meditative experiences. After I was ordained in November 2000, I felt compelled to go home and make my house a more cheerful place rather than go right into ministerial work. I repainted and redecorated in light warm colors what had been mostly gray. It was only later that I realized I was getting my home ready for students to come.

It was one year later that I became active at Pathways of Light at the November, 2001, membership meeting when I joined the Advisory Council. I had given a Pathways bookmark to a fellow ACIM study group member while I was still in ministerial training. In January, 2002, she called me and asked if I would facilitate her ministerial training. After that, more ministerial students came along. I really trusted the concept of letting the light go forth to bring me all that I would need for my spiritual growth and opportunities to be of service.

On December 31, 2002, I set an intention for all of 2003 of being willing to let my mind be changed about what I think I am. Holy Spirit began to work with me in different ways. I began to facilitate the Pathways of Light 900 series courses on campus. Students from overseas came my way. I began to journal my experiences with the ACIM daily lessons. In my willingness, the Holy Spirit brought me more opportunities to be truly helpful. My intent for the year 2004 is to be willing to listen to Holy Spirit. Now I am writing an inner healing journal for the Pathways of Light web site and writing meditations, in addition to facilitation work.

In following the guidance of Holy Spirit, I am finding the greatest joy in my work. I had no idea at ordination what my ministry would look like; I gave it all to Holy Spirit. It is unfolding into something that makes me truly happy. In my continuing willingness to follow Holy Spirit, He gives me opportunities and activities step-by-step. I have no idea where I am going. My only desire is to be truly helpful. I have come to trust the process of letting the journey unfold as shown by Holy Spirit as being much better than anything my ego devises. It is a continuing process of willingness to follow the Inner Teacher, the Holy Spirit.

Today, I walk my path in joy. I feel that I have finally come at 57 to a state of fulfilling my girlhood dream of making the world a better place, only with a totally different understanding of what that means because I give the meaning to Holy Spirit. I don’t try to decide for myself what it means to make a difference any longer. I have come far on my life’s journey and now I know for certain that Holy Spirit has been there with me in every step. I am most grateful for knowing this. Today I am content to let Him lead the way. I am really learning that I can trust in the power of Love and goodness to have a powerful impact, and that I can let Holy Spirit direct this power in everything.

Rev. Barbara Kraetsch is a Pathways of Light minister living in Hartford, Wisconsin.

© 2004, Pathways of Light. https://www.pathwaysoflight.org
You may freely share copies of this with your friends, provided this copyright notice and website address are included.

Tell a Friend
Printable Page

Back to main page of Miracles News.

Has this page been helpful to you?
Your contribution to support this site is greatly appreciated. To make a tax deductible contribution with a credit/debit card, click here.
Click here to donate from your PayPal account.
Or send a check to Pathways of Light, 12530 Lions Chase Court, Huntley, IL 60142.

Articles by
Pathways of Light Ministers
and Others.

Search

Advanced Search

Pathways of Light Membership

Support Pathways of Light with an annual membership donation or become a sustaining member through monthly contributions. Includes printed Miracles News magazine mailed quarterly. Click here.

Subscribe to printed version.

To have Miracles News magazine mailed to you quarterly, Click here.

Most recent entries

Miracles News has been viewed 1866856 times

Archives

Complete Archives

Subscribe to
Miracles News Online

To have Miracles News Online articles emailed to you free when they are posted each quarter, enter your email address here.

Email Address:

You will receive an email requesting confirmation. After you confirm, the Daily Inspiration articles will be emailed each day they are posted. These emails will appear in your inbox as from "FeedMyInbox." You may unsubscribe at any time. We recommend that you add "updates@feedmyinbox.com" to your address book so that the emails do not get sent to your spam box.

You may also subscribe to the RSS feed to have these messages added to your MyYahoo! page, Google Reader or Bloglines by clicking this image in your Subscribe to RSS feed browser's web address field above.

Free Online Resources

Electronic "Magazine"Sign up to receive periodic emails with thoughts to ponder, inspirational articles and the latest news.

Subscribe to daily emails of Workbook Lesson Insights.

ACIM Text Made Simple — answers to hundreds of questions about the Text. Click here.

Daily Inspiration Blog — Thoughts to inspire your day. Click here.

Inspiring journals by Pathways of Light ministers applying the principles of ACIM. Click here.

Miracles News — hundreds of inspiring miracle stories. Click here.
 

We'd Like to Hear from You

Request Free Printed Program & Product Catalog

Or call 1-800-323-7284 (US & Canada) or 386-615-7284.

Click here to email your questions.

United Kingdom: Click here to email your questions about Pathways of Light in the UK or call +44 (0) 207 7262 0209.

Give us your feedback or report site problems.
 

Pathways Ministers Audio/Videos

ACIM Spiritual Counselor Training

Inspired by the principles presented in A Course in Miracles, this ministry training focuses on accepting the mind healing that is guided by the Teacher within, the Holy Spirit. As our minds are healed, we become Holy Spirit’s instruments of healing. For more information click here.
 

ACIM Practitioner Courses

If you would like a deeper understanding of key principles of A Course in Miracles, the 24 Pathways of Light ACIM Practitioner courses provide a complete, multimedia package to help you make ACIM principles a ready resource to call upon in your mind throughout your day. Click here for more information.
 

Featured Items

Minister training based on A Course in Miracles Spiritual Counselor Training — based on principles of A Course in Miracles, including ordination. More….

Hey, Holy Spirit,
It's Me Again Hey, Holy Spirit, It's Me Again by Rev. Myron Jones. An indispensable guide for anyone on the path of ACIM with insights on the 1st 90 lessons. More….

Tru Eternal Life and A Course in Miracles by Jon Mundy, Phd. A Path to Eternity in the Essential Text. Learn more.

True Forgiveness True Forgiveness by Rev. Jennifer McSween. The Proven Path from Pain to Power in 5 Simple Steps. Learn more.

Listen & Receive 30-Day Home Study Listen & Receive 30-Day Home Study Learn to receive insight for your life in a form that is perfect for you …heal fears, find joy & peace. Learn more.

Minister training based on A Course in Miracles Spiritual Counselor Training — based on principles of A Course in Miracles, including ordination. More….

Miracles Practitioner courses24 ACIM Practitioner courses including 50-page study guide, CD's with facilitator. More….

Tru Live Your Happy by Rev. Maria Felipe. A real-world approach to living happily, based on A Course in Miracles. Learn more.

From the Christ Mind From the Christ Mind scribed by Darrell Morley Price. A simple, yet profound message that you can immediately apply to current circumstances. More….

Forgiving KevinForgiving Kevin Audio book by Rev. Larry Glenz. A moving and inspiring true story of a father/son relationship that withstood seven years of addiction, recovery, and relapse. More….

Healing Family
RelationshipsHealing Family Relationships Applying the Principles of A Course in Miracles 6 CD audio book by Rev. Myron Jones. Learn how family relationships offer fertile grounds for forgiveness and healing your judgments of the world. More.