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July-September, 2020

Stay Safe… Stay Home

by Rev. Stepan Mead, Ordained Ministerial Counselor

Almost daily on TV, the governor of our state has addressed we Washingtonians regarding COVID-19, with a background banner reading, “Stay Safe - Stay Home.”  Electronic signs erected in various places on our highways flash the message, “Stay Safe — Stay Home.” Billboards throughout the city of Seattle blink, “Stay Safe — Stay Home.” One might get the impression the powers that be are trying to send us a message!

ACIM mentions the word “safe” 124 times and the word “home” 261 times. Perhaps the Power authoring ACIM is also trying to send us a message?

“The Father keeps what He created safe.” (T-24,VII.5:1) “Heaven is your home, and being in God, it must also be in you.” (T-12.VI.7:7) 

If I take those two quotes literally and I understand them correctly, I am always safe and I’m always home. What problem, situation or circumstance could possibly be a threat to me? How about the pandemic?
Like probably everyone else on the planet, my life was greatly affected with all the new rules and regulations that were quickly put in place, especially the quarantine. I couldn’t work, I couldn’t see my children and grandkids, and as I watched the news report, first hundreds, then thousands, then over a hundred thousand deaths — I wasn’t feeling all that safe.

Was this virus an exception to the Will of God? Wait! How could anything oppose the Will of God? So, does that mean the pandemic is God’s Will? That conclusion doesn’t make me feel too safe either, and what kind of home would foster the pain and suffering the millions who have been infected have experienced? Clearly, my conclusions must be erroneous, but they didn’t seem to be, at least at first. Might the answers be found in ACIM?

Fortunately, I’ve had much practice in quieting my ego mind when I really want to. There is an “Opening Preparation” statement included in the many study courses Pathways of Light offers. This statement contains six bullet points to meditate on. One of them, “I am willing to take responsibility for letting go of limiting thoughts and beliefs that reflect separation and specialness,” was particularly helpful. First, did I have limiting thoughts and beliefs about the pandemic? (check!) Second, was I willing to take responsibility that every non-loving thought about the virus was because I provided a “home” for it? (check!)

This was a bit difficult because all my thoughts were unloving, and how could it be looked at other than “I and my loved ones are not safe” And, “none of this is my fault!” I haven’t mentioned this yet, but two of my son-in-laws were diagnosed COVID 19 positive and were told to assume their spouses and kids (my daughters & grandchildren) had also been exposed. Who wouldn’t feel unsafe and far from the comfort and security of home under these circumstances?

Another bullet point in the Opening Preparation is, “I am willing to quiet my mind and ask Holy Spirit to take the lead.” (check!)

With a new willingness, I read the various ACIM references about “safe” and “home.” A peaceful calm replaced the storm in my mind. I was invited to contemplate a different conclusion about the pandemic, an inspired conclusion. Articulated, it would read, “You have unique and wonderful opportunities to ask Me how you can be helpful to your family and everyone else now, IF that is what you want to experience.” So, “Stay Safe, Stay Home!”  I’m going to go with that.

© 2020, Pathways of Light. https://www.pathwaysoflight.org
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