Miracles News

October - December, 2008

From the Classroom to the Street — Literally

Rev. Carol K. Springer-Witfoth

The Course teaches us to see the Christ in everyone. Everyone. In the beginning it was a challenge and a joy to see the Light in as many people as possible. When I couldn’t, I simply acknowledged that Christ was there. Bare in mind that I did not remember to look for or acknowledge that in everyone. Sometimes I still don’t. I am a beginner among beginners. Holy Spirit provided the following, unexpected, beautiful lesson.

Recently a lesson in seeing the Christ in others presented itself. In need of groceries, I headed to a mall near my home. At the entry way to the mall a young man stood holding a sign, which I could not see as I approached from his back. I clearly remember thinking, “I never give money to these people.” I purchased my groceries and left the mall by the same entrance. I don’t recall if the man was there. I do recall remembering I should have stopped at the religious bookstore to pick up an order. The next day being Saturday I could pick up the order.

Saturday morning I ran all my errands leaving the pick up until last. Approaching the intersection I saw the man again. This morning I noticed his hair shined and for some silly reason I thought, “He must have washed his hair.” After browsing through the store, I left with my bags and went to my car.

Again, I saw the man and thought, “I never give money to those people.” I was actually trying to figure out how to get out of the mall without using the lane closest to the concrete island where he stood. I wanted to avoid him. I was drawn to him. Without thinking I reached into my billfold and got out a bill. I knew how much it was because I had organized the bills before I left home. It did not matter the size. Ego was still functioning guiding my thoughts but Spirit was guiding my actions. I was mentally negotiating how to avoid being close to the man while being guided to do what Spirit knew was good for both of us, most especially me.

I was comfortable when I saw that I would be third in line, the line closest to the man and there were two cars that would be ahead of me. This would keep me in a place where I could avoid contact. So I pulled into the left turn lane. The light turned red so we all had to stop. The man picked up his sign which said, “Anything will help. God bless you” and his backpack. He walked passed the two cars ahead me as if they did not exist and directly to me. I looked into a face that I recognized and loved. As I recall the experience, his face glowed. In a melodious voice, he said, “Thank you.” So caught up in the love I could barely reply, “No, thank you.”

The man walked lightly across the incoming lanes on the other side of the concrete island. I had to move on as the light turned green. I looked for him along the street but he had disappeared. Would that I could see the Christ so clearly in all! Or, maybe our lesson is to know it is there without having to see it! Whatever, I am grateful for the lesson.

Carol K. Springer-Witfoth, O.M.C., is a Pathways of Light minister living in Lincoln, Nebraska.

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