Miracles News

January-March, 2011

Responsibility

by Rev. Gail Hamley

Recently I accepted a position with my church as director of family services. In this position, I manage the Sunday school for children ages 1 through 18 and the nursery as well. It is more than a Sunday school. It is a community of families who bring their children to a sacred space for friendship and learning.

When presented with this enormous responsibility, I immediately went into meditation. I have never done this type of work before. I was at a loss. Sure, I have children and grandchildren. I’ve taught them about God or my perception of God as the years passed. But, in meditation I was thrust deeply into a new reality and I knew some very core beliefs and ways of being were about to shift.

A passage in A Course in Miracles states: “Your insane laws were made to guarantee that you would make mistakes, and give them power over you by accepting their results as your just due.” (T-20.IV.3:1) I knew in that moment that my lack of experience was exactly why I was in this position (no preconceived beliefs or laws about how it should be done). Yet, I have had to struggle with “laws” I have accepted and lived by during my various careers.

For example, I immediately placed goals in my mind and deadlines that would have thrilled my former bosses! I could ‘see’ them pick up my worksheet and mark their own calendars with my dates and accomplishments and then assume a role of authority over me to accomplish them. Of course, all of this was in my imagination but it created a stress within me that was real. ACIM asks, “What could this be but madness?” (3:2) Yes, it was madness and I was very, very aware about how I had created this madness for myself. Fear. That’s what it all boiled down to.

I forgot that I am not alone. I forgot for a moment that the “I” I am used to being is not in charge. Then I read, “The plan is not of you, nor need you be concerned with anything except the part that has been given you to learn. For He Who knows the rest will see to it without your help.” (6:1-2) What a beautiful release of responsibility!

My only responsibility is to learn and that is the beautiful state of openness I now am in. It feels like grace. And it is peaceful. I invite you to think about the ‘laws’ or beliefs that are the madness in your life. And I invite you to let them go. Open … be the student. Let grace and peace in. This is the perfect time for birthing a new life.

Rev. Gail Hamley is a Pathways of Light minister living in Tustin, California.

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