Miracles News
April-June, 2023
Learning Through Joy
I used to think that everything needed to be perfect in order for me to be happy. All my conditions had to be met for me to be at peace and really live. Even with the deepening of my spiritual life over recent years, there was still a small remnant of this old thought system lingering in my mind.
Over the past month though, I have begun to notice a shift. I have even surprised myself in the most delightful way. My ego is very strong in a certain area of my life and I’ve had to work overtime to rein it in and choose, over and over again, to see the situation differently. These last few weeks it seems something has taken over me.
“Hi, Holy Spirit…” has taken my hand and infused me with a greater strength than I’ve yet known and guided me beyond more of my mental blocks to the awareness of Love’s presence within me, regardless of what the outside conditions were presenting at the moment.
This was amazing to me and truly the witnessing of a miracle; to see principles of the Course actually take effect in a real time, real life way. And on something that in the past, I ‘kept apart’ from healing, thinking that this thing was just insurmountable.
Because this area has been one of such discomfort, I know it is one of my life’s hallmark learning assignments. It seems that lately though, it’s beginning to morph into something lighter and more graceful. Even offering a taste of beauty, laced throughout it, amidst the usual unease and turmoil. The harsh edges have softened a bit and I can look more lovingly on it. It seems I am learning more through joy now than through pain. (Ah, thank you God). What a relief.
Things are certainly not ‘perfect’ or exactly how I want them to be, especially in this one area. But recognizing how I’m approaching and handling it differently now has been quite a significant and even startling thing for me. It’s not often I feel so proud of myself. I try and cling to humility. But even that, too, I am aiming to move beyond, because as the Course says, it’s arrogant not to acknowledge how wonderful we all are.
And so it is with humility I can look at myself lovingly and say, “I am proud of you.” I can feel pride, love and compassion, knowing that I am walking with God and choosing consistently to lean on Him and lean into these lessons that He’s arranged for me.
I may not always understand His plan, but His plan for me is perfect happiness. His is the one I truly want. I do not perceive my own best interests, but He does and so I give it all to Him. I lay it all at His feet, to take it from me and to show me the meaning which I know not.
“Take this from me and look upon it, judging it for me. Let me not see it as a sign of sin and death, nor use it for destruction. Teach me how not to make of it an obstacle to peace, but let You use it for me, to facilitate its coming.” (T-19.IV-C.11:8-10)
What a weight off my shoulders. What a comfort. Knowing I don’t have to go it alone. He will reinterpret everything for me, if I choose to let Him. If I let go and allow. Nothing is too great for God. There is no order of difficulty.
I may still falter from time to time. My assignment may still be in process. But having this mind healing has truly been a revelation, a gift and a miracle, that I am so grateful for. I am more easily allowing “…Holy Spirit to decide for God for (me).” (T-6.V-B.6:5)
I am more receptive and can more quickly hear Holy Spirit’s Voice, assuring me constantly, that no matter what the conditions, I am safe and I am well. No matter what the external world of form may show, I can abide in peace at any time, by choosing to side with joy.
Thank you, God, for walking with me. For allowing me to see things differently.
Rev. Ashley Rose Legrand, O.M.C., is a Pathways of Light minister living in Metuchen, New Jersey. Email: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
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