Miracles News

October-December, 2010

Letting Go of the Need to Understand

by Rev. Larry Glenz

imageI know that many people believe that God has abandoned them when they suffer the tragic loss of a loved one. After turning to Holy Spirit during the seven years that my son, Kevin, battled with an opiate addiction, he relapsed again and died last winter of an overdose at the age of 27.

The question often asked in such a situation by the loved ones left behind is, “How could God let this happen?” My understanding of ACIM teaches me that God didn’t let it happen. The metaphysics of the Course explain that it never happened. But while I remain in this dream of the human condition, I need Holy Spirit to help me with this. I turned to Holy Spirit consistently throughout his years of addiction, his efforts at recovery, and his relapses. The answers that I received from Spirit were also consistent.

In different ways Holy Spirit said, “Love him anyway. You don’t know what Kevin needs to go through. Release all judgment, condemnation, and fear. Offer help but don’t try to shame him or use guilt to get him to change.” Sometimes I followed Holy Spirit’s advice; but often I was too scared to listen and used whatever leverage I had to force him into rehab and recovery. It didn’t work.

Heroin addiction forces the addict to constantly lie and steal in order to keep getting high. The compulsion to get high overcomes his love and respect for family, friends, and especially himself. At those times, it was difficult to see the innocence of that Child of God. And today, it is difficult to see how his death could be for the greater good. Certainly, there is much I don’t understand for I cannot conceive of the “Big Picture” here.

Nevertheless, since his passing, I have been inundated with the love of so many people. This love has come my way in many different forms; but this flow of love has been constant. I no longer feel the terror that I often felt during the years of his addiction. In fact, Kevin’s love is always with me in my heart and mind.

I am very grateful to Holy Spirit for this ability I have to feel Kevin’s love and his guidance as I go through my day. Talking to Kevin and communicating with Holy Spirit seem the same to me now, although my words are much more irreverent when I think it is Kevin to whom I speak.

I realize there is no way that I can understand what is for the greater good. But ACIM has taught me some things that I can experience. I have been taught that in every situation, only the love is real; and I have been able to experience great love from so many people since Kevin’s death.

And when I cry and have my moments of deep sadness, I sometimes hear Kevin’s voice say, “Hey Dad, you know better. That whole story was never true. Only the love we shared was real.” And I can answer with certainty, “Yes, Kevin, I know better.” And I feel gratitude for this experience.

And I will let go of my need to try to understand how this could all be for the greater good. My perceived need to know is one of the ego’s best tricks. But my only function is to let go and let God.

Rev. Larry Glenz is a Pathways of Light minister living in Long Beach, New York.

© 2010, 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 1866914 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.