Miracles News

July-September, 2016

An Exercise in Trust

by Rev. Cathy Silva, O.M.C.

Rev. Cathy Silva, O.M.C. “Using WAZE is an exercise in trust!” I said to my husband as we allowed the GPS app to navigate us around traffic and road hazards to arrive safely at our ‘destination’ — the fund-raiser event with Pathways of Light, Gary Renard and Joe Wolfe of Spirit Light Outreach.

I think of WAZE as an app and community of drivers all wrapped up in a tool for helping each other get where we want to go.

It felt very much like ‘blind’ trust. Especially when it guided us down a road that seemed out of the way. There were moments when we started to question the app (and ourselves, I think) but then decided to just go with it.

Once we ‘arrived at our destination,’ it was such a joy to meet Robert and Mary, the founders of Pathways of Light, and share hugs with everyone. It was an inspiring day of learning, support and extending Love.

Now, I’ve had many drives before my discovery of GPS, ACIM and becoming a Pathways of Light minister where I was “on my own” or with my kids, in unknown territory and felt nervous, lost, alone and fearful. When we lived in the Miami area, there were many a times in the car going on home-school field trips when I missed an exit or took a wrong turn and ended up in an area that was a ‘questionable.’ The fearful mind would take over momentarily and all kinds of judgments about being ‘directionally challenged’ and the safety of my family would swarm around in my mind.

Then came the laughter from Alex and Patrick in the back seat, declaring, “You did it again!?” “Yes… yes I did,” I would honestly say as I remembered why we were doing this in the first place; to learn, enjoy the time together and have fun. At times I would call my husband for navigational assistance and other times I would do my best to “feel my way through it.” We always ended up finding our way back on track and safely arrived at our destination.

Following God’s Plan

“Once you accept His plan as the one function that you would fulfill, there will be nothing else Holy Spirit will not arrange for you without your effort. He will go before you making straight your path, and leaving in your way no stones to trip on, and no obstacles to bar your way. Nothing you need will be denied you. Not one seeming difficulty but will melt away before you reach it. You need take thought for nothing, careless of everything except the only purpose that you would fulfill. As that was given you, so will its fulfillment be. God’s guarantee will hold against all obstacles, for it rests on certainty and not contingency. It rests on you. And what can be more certain than a Son of God? (T-20.IV.8:4-12)

Answering the Call

The Call to become a Teacher of Love and an ordained minister have been very much the same exercise in trust. More accurately it’s required The Development of Trust the course outlines in the Manual for Teachers. (M-4.I.A)

Many times in life I have felt Called. A Call for me is Holy Spirit’s way of communicating to my true Self Who, more than anything, desires to play my part in God’s Plan. The Call can begin as a ‘feeling’ or ‘inner nudge’ to do something or go somewhere. I do my best to listen, follow the inner guidance and trust that there’s some role for me there.

Sometimes I ignore that feeling and let the questions, uncertainty, fear or my own stubbornness delay me. Then the ‘nudge’ becomes more like a loving ‘shove.’ I might feel more of a sense of urgency followed by seeing and hearing messages that help me refocus and move forward. When I decide to Accept that Call and take a step in the direction, I find a path shows up that leads me toward my desired ‘destination.’ Only I realize it’s not so much a destination but a perfectly timed and designed Path Home to the realization of Love’s Presence.

“The course does not aim at teaching the meaning of love, for that is beyond what can be taught. It does aim, however, at removing the blocks to the awareness of love’s presence, which is our natural inheritance.” (T-Introduction 1:1-7)

I’ll be honest. The Call to become an ordained minister and Teacher of Love felt huge for me. Deep within me I knew it was what I am meant to do. I wanted to be used to teach Love… pure, unconditional Love. The Call was so strong and it was super scary! Many times I felt alone and questioned whether I could handle what felt like was such a big responsibility. My kids had left the nest and my coaching business was finally beginning to show signs of financial success, so I questioned whether it was the responsible thing to do.

Once I made the decision to Accept the Call and Follow God’s Plan as my focus, I had to suspend all doubt and remember that I can trust WAZE/GPS app a.k.a. Holy Spirit (IGS Inner Guidance System) in my mind to guide me. I began to listen and respond to the intuitive hits to make a call or go to a website or reach out to someone, without questioning why. These steps led me to this Pathways of Light community and ministerial training. I was ordained last November and have now completed the Relationship Enhancement Counselor Training.

I believe that where there is a Call, there is a Way. In my own journey there is positive evidence that this is true.

I continue the journey of developing that Trust and allowing the ministry to unfold. I’ve had to release any ideas of how I think it’s ‘supposed’ to look and simply respond daily to what shows up. It doesn’t feel like a huge responsibility anymore, because I’m not on this journey alone. I always have my handy dandy IGS (Inner Guidance System) and a community of family and friends along the way to enjoy being with as we learn and grow together.

Rev. Cathy Silva is a Pathways of Light minister living in Punta Gorda, FL.
Email: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) Website: http://www.cathysilva.org

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