Taking the time to write down my thoughts isn't always an easy demonstration for me when many other demands and voices seem so much louder, but I received a big gift today. Sam offered to watch Jesse for me for an hour while I was able to consecrate myself to deep study. It was so harmonious that this will become a daily event in the Allard household. At one point, Jesse came running up the stairs to ask me something, saw I was studying and said, "Oh, you're doing church." (Surprisingly, after that he didn't interrupt me again.) I was so moved that he recognized this, and loved the way he put it.
Let's all do church!
June 21, 2012
I'm grateful for continuing fruitage since our Association Meeting in May. I love the First Commandment “Thou shalt have no other Gods before me,” but was rather appalled to realize how many ways I've been unthinkingly breaking it. Accepting any power beside God seems to happen in a number of ways. This heightened sense of alertness has resulted in much unfoldment of truth.
About two weeks ago, following a church testimony meeting, I returned home so inspired that the thought came strongly, “It's time to move.” My husband and I have had our home listed for sale since January with apparently no prospect of selling. We had been waiting to move to a new home that we purchased at that time until our young son could finish school. The end of school came and went, and still I was afraid to let go of the old house, feeling I was leaving unfinished business behind. Much of our furniture and possessions had been at our new home for months; moving would be fairly simple and fast, but still I persisted in holding on, feeling I could do more good right there in the old house.
Mrs. Eddy's definition of church helped me to see that home is more than a structure of brick and mortar; it is an expression of Soul. Soul, as another name for God is ever complete and perfect, needing no cultivation. I did not need to dwell in the material structure to recognize the divine structure of Life, Truth and Love. And God certainly did not need me to stay and clean windows and vacuum the floors endlessly in the false hope that I was somehow helping His divine work to be more complete. It was time to move on. I didn't question the dictum.
The next morning, within hours, my husband located a local moving company that didn't require a 6-week reservation and was experienced in professionally moving our piano. Many other small details fell into place as we prepared to move the last of our possessions the following week.
However, in the midst of this began a terrible physical struggle for me. (As in Genesis, “But there went up a mist from the earth, and watered the whole face of the ground.”) It seemed that the busier I became, the more persistently mortal mind asserted its false testimony. I was healed of an aggressive illness following a fainting spell. During this period of great discomfort, I knew that this was not a bodily ailment but mental malpractice. It was very difficult for me to quietly focus on Truth when I felt pulled in many directions at once so I worked with a Christian Science Practitioner in the week before the move. This very great citation from Romans is one I'll never stop using: “...but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; and patience, experience; and experience, hope: and hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.” (Romans 5: 3-5) Healing came when I realized that despite the testimony of error, I completely trusted God, no matter what mortal mind's predicted outcome might be. It had no authority over the Word of God. In order to see that thoroughly, I had to take up the cross. And it is never shameful to seek higher things. I passed through this struggle unharmed.I'm very grateful for the physical healing and the swift and harmonious move to our new home. There is a great sense of freedom in letting God's work show with the selling of our old house, knowing that despite mortal predictions and excuses, God already knows the outcome. My only job is to listen (be still and know that I am God).
This week's Bible lesson on Christian Science has been so helpful to me. I was very inspired by the story of Jesus' healing of the nobleman's son. The nobleman was obviously under great duress and desperate at the physical condition of his son when he begged for Jesus' help. The nobleman put all trust in Christ believing that his son lived, even though he was not in the sick room to witness it. Trust and belief and understanding were there, without any physical evidence. Healing was inevitable. I am not so different from the nobleman: we both desire something that to the physical senses seems impossible. But I know that my move to a new home (despite uncertainty about the future of the old home), and the nobleman's faith in Christ despite all evidence to the contrary are examples of the first commandment. I'm so grateful to recognize this.God is Love!
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