Identity – who are you?

For me, pregnancy has been a deeply spiritual and special time. Although there are the outward physical changes, the most significant changes have been internal – an internal growing, awareness and appreciation for our spiritual identity.

As many pregnant women can attest, it can also seem to be a very public time with people openly comparing stories, asking questions and making comments (some helpful and some unhelpful) each time you go outside.

But, for me, none of these stories, comments or questions even touch the surface of knowing this child the way that God does.

“Being posses its qualities before they are perceived humanly.” (Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy)

“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.” (Jeremiah 1:5)

These passages speak to our eternal, spiritual identity and purpose. Before we are perceived humanly (and continuing after), we are each made whole, spiritual and eternal. Our identities are each made up of life, creativity, joy, humor, wisdom, beauty, and the power and ability to express them.

Early on in the pregnancy, it became clear to me that no one could perceive this child – know the depths of him or her – except as they know God.  As we listen and are receptive to what God is saying, we will know the identity of each child – whether he or she is still in the womb or is 80 years old. Everything that God tells us about ourselves and our children is good and perfect since God knows every child and reveals the spiritual, eternal nature and identity to each of us.

Who we are goes so far beyond material DNA, cells, bone structure, and personality. Before we had any of these material accompaniments, God knew us and created us spiritually.

We can go forward confidently and securely in our divine perfection. We can trust this perfection and look away from ourselves as being mini-creators and trust the order, harmony and beauty of divine Creation.

This spiritual perspective helps to heal anxiety, fear and can overcome any physical problem we might encounter.

Reblog: Bright light from senior workers

Bright light from senior workers

By Barbara Vining (Reblogged from CSMonitor.com)

It’s encouraging to know that age is not a barrier to progress.

I learned that lesson early from a neighbor – a childhood friend’s father, Mr. Fierke. We were still in high school when he reached the mandatory retirement age of 65 at General Mills, where he managed the flour division. Without hesitation, he enrolled in a six-month training course to become a stockbroker, after which he began a 23-year career with a well-known brokerage firm. After that, he continued to live an active life.

In recent times, age has become less and less a factor in deciding when one should retire – or whether one should retire at all. It’s quite common for individuals to want – or need – to continue working during their senior years. Many businesses are actually wooing senior workers, and mandatory retirement ages have been disappearing from the horizon. Employers are valuing seniors for their maturity, dependability, and experience – and, I also think, for the inspiration their example can bring to the workplace.

Mr. Fierke’s example certainly inspired me, as well as many others, I’m sure… Read more

My dog Nya

I love my dog Nya.

Nya is so radiant with joy. She is always happy. She also expresses the spiritual qualities of readiness and alertness. And she is so energetic.

She is ready to go whenever I say, and she always watches me to see if she is needed to respond.

She is a true child of God in this way.  May we all be as vigil in our spiritual devoutness; keeping our eyes on our Father-Mother God at all times; joyfully waiting for God’s call, expectant and ready.

She is so pure and innocent. She never has a malicious motive or purpose. Her purity is a wonder to me.

We all have the spiritual innocence and purity that we see express in these friends in our lives.  It reminds me of  an excerpt from Mary Baker Eddy’s address at the National Convention in Chicago on June 13, 1888.

“Beloved children, the world has need of you, — and more as children than as men and women: it needs your innocence, unselfishness, faithful affection, uncontaminated lives. You need also to watch, and pray that you preserve these virtues unstained, and lose them not through contact with the world. What grander ambition is there than to maintain in yourselves what Jesus loved, and to know that your example, more than words, makes morals for mankind!”

She is referencing Jesus’ love for children in this excerpt. When human reasoning tempted Jesus’ disciples and they asked the question, “Who will be greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” Jesus responded by calling a little child over, and he said: “Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.”

Let’s claim the innocence, purity, joy – the childlikeness – we see around us as our own. And keep our lives, our thought, untainted from the world.