Tag: hope

Divine unfoldment

Published on by lindseybiggs6 Comments

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Goodness and progress are always unfolding in our lives, but sometimes we may really want to see how it’s all going to turn out! That’s the nature of the human mind.

The human mind is opposed to God and must be put off, as St. Paul declares.

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God isn’t an anthropomorphic “old man” high in the sky, though we often use human terms to describe Him. Really God is more of an infinite, all-embracing, impartial, divine Love and Substance that is the Source of all. This Substance is what makes up you and me, our divine essence and nature.

I love seeing all the flowers blossom in spring. They are fantastic and the aroma is wonderful! Seeing a tree filled with hundreds of delicate blossoms helps me to see God’s love, who gives us those tiny little buds and blossoms for Her delight.

It is Love which paints the petal with myriad hues, glances in the warm sunbeam, arches the cloud with the bow of beauty, blazons the night with starry gems, and covers earth with loveliness.

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We don’t worry that the buds won’t open up; we trust they will open in just the right way and at just the right time. So it is with life. When we are praying for something, we can trust that spiritual desire to God. We can listen to God telling us that we are loved, that we are made in Her likeness to shine Her beautiful light, and patiently wait for Love to unfold Her blessing in our lives.

You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands.

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Mary Baker Eddy, Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, p. 151:24-26
Ibid, p. 247:24
Isaiah 55:12 NIV

Restoring relationships

Published on by lindseybiggsLeave a comment

Recent news reports involving a shooting say that there isn’t enough evidence to determine what actually happened or a satisfactory verdict. Even though the human justice system may not be able to bring about a satisfactory result, I pray with this statement and know there is another kind of justice system always working within us that does not have the limitation of human laws:

Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. —Psalms 139:23-24

There is such heartfelt humility in this passage admitting that perhaps there is some hidden evil in thought and desiring to be completely free from it through God’s redeeming grace.

God, divine Love, knows all of our thoughts and motives. God is pure Love itself, immortal being and eternal Life, which doesn’t include any darkness. So, as we draw nearer to God, Spirit, the darkness in our thoughts and hearts disappears — just as the darkness disappears when you turn on the light in a room.

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! —Mary Baker Eddy 

The light in each of us is shining in the world. We all have innocence, pure affection and the healing power of grace within us to transform past hurts and restore right relationships.

Just as a baby is incapable of prejudice because he shines spiritual joy and love towards others, we can bring that same pure, fresh light — childlikeness and grace — to our relationships (including family members, neighbors, and community members) and restore them.

It’s all about perspective

Published on by lindseybiggsLeave a comment

My cat brought a small, cool-looking lizard in to the house today. Trying to catch the lizard while stopping the cat from playing with him was challenging. The lizard was fast & freaked out. And eventually ran to a dark hole underneath the dishwasher. I waited for him to come out for an hour or so, but to no avail.

I went to my next appointment thinking about this lizard. Did he know when he woke up this morning that this would be the day when he was captured by a predator & stuck in a dark hole probably left to die?

But on the heels of these dark thoughts came a burst of light. Wait a minute! Was I going to accept the limited perspective of the lizard? Or was I going to see the situation for what it really was? I was right there wanting & waiting to help the lizard & return him to the bright, sunny outdoors where he could continue to live happily.

I thought about how many situations look like this from God’s perspective. God is right there ready & wanting to help us, to rescue us from a dark seeming situation. However because of our limited perspective we freak out, run & hide in the dark, perhaps wanting to work it out on our own.

The lizard was in no real danger when he entered my house; I was right there to help him. I was grateful to realize that the danger was only perceived according to his limited consciousness, & the goodness of the day had never actually left.

When I returned home, I found the lizard sunning himself on the carpet near the window. My husband & I were able to open the door & herd him towards it, at which point he willingly let my husband pick him up & place him outside. He went happily running off.

I was grateful for the opportunity to help this beautiful lizard. And I’m even more grateful for the spiritual lesson I learned about how I can see from God’s perspective more often and trust His ever-present, loving care.