Miracles News

July-September, 2004

Highlighted Minister — Rev. Barbara Kraetsch

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

Rev. Barbara Kraetsch I 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.

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