Gloria to Mother Divine:
Dear Mother Divine, a couple of things happened yesterday that I am taking as signs!
One was someone I just met; he interrupted himself to say that he thought I was a good speaker, and when the book HEAVEN is out, I should consider going on a book tour and giving talks! It's interesting how I have seen myself as a rather bumbling speaker, but anyway!
Another sign, a dear friend sent me a Mother's Day card with some unexpected money in it!
Another, a man who had come to me years ago as a prospective client and who was grateful for the little time I spent with him, came to my door unexpectedly to tell me about a Freedom Trust. Not even $1.00 to invest. The papers talk about You, God; the trust is to help You prosper many people. This man said he came to me because I had helped him so many years ago. I believe he did come to me because of his sweet gratitude. I am taking everything as a sign!
Mother Divine:
You and God talked about being grateful, and gratitude showed up in your life.
Gloria:
I have heard that what you put your attention on grows stronger in your life.
Mother Divine:
And you have concrete examples. Your attention on God has multiplied itself in your life. Your attention on loving more has brought you more love.
If you focus on fear and worry, you would find more coming to you. One has to find another focus to replace fear thoughts. Intent to stop isn't enough. Another object must be found.
Gloria:
There is something that is annoying me. There is a push to have more people meditate for world peace, which is worthy, but there are people posted in certain places who now thank you personally for it. I resent it. Who are they to thank me, and who am I to be thanked?
I am there for God, for myself, and hopefully to help the world.
To me, it's like a stranger coming up to me and saying, "Thank you for feeding your child."
I don't think they are being real. I am a number. And there is something about "thank you" that makes me feel obligated.
Now, why am I not neutral on this?
Mother Divine:
You also feel this as a separating process. They on one side, you on another. As though you are an outsider.
Why aren't you neutral? What is the opposite of neutral?
Gloria:
Taking it personally.
Mother Divine:
How would Christ respond?
Gloria:
Maybe he would say nothing. Maybe he would say God bless you. Maybe he would take no notice of it and walk on. But whatever his response, he would have love in his eyes.
Also, these people stand too close. They block my leaving.
Mother Divine:
Everything in the world is not made for your personal liking. Put your attention on what you do like. You do like that they mean to help, that they are trying. You just don't like their method. Look at their hearts, and not their method. They intend to make you happy. Look at what you can do to give them love. Direct love to them right now.
Gloria:
Yes.
Dear God, sometimes I disappoint myself so much. I mean I am disappointed in myself for all my crabbing.
God:
Don't take displeasure. Take pleasure. Eliminate the prefix dis.
Appoint yourself what you want to be. Don't disappoint.
If you are My messenger, then give My messages. Discard your small messages.
Only the small self criticizes. Only the small self finds fault. Only the small self is disinclined, disgruntled, dismayed.
Go towards, not away from. Move towards love. Make room for love, as you would make room for someone on a seat in a bus. Make room in your heart.
Don't take an immobile stance. Take no stance at all.
Be a swimmer in the ways of the world. Don't be blocked, and don't block. Swim in and out of your meditation room. Fly in and out.
Remember Who waits to greet you when you finish meditating. Do I stand too close? Would you want Me to distance myself? Would you prefer I not be there?
In each of these ladies who thank you, I am. If I am in the beggar, I am also in the do-gooders.
These people are looking for love. Why don't you give it?
Why don't you please them?
Why don't you go out of your way to please them?
If they greet you, be greeted.
Your identity is not at stake here. Nothing is at stake here. But what it is is an opportunity to give.
If a child gives you his drawing, you don't say the trees aren't right. You see the child's heart on the paper.
These ladies who thank you are My children, and I will you to treat them as yours.
Gloria:
Dear God, I think I have been very nicely scolded.
God:
Sometimes My children have to be scolded.
A Course in Miracles, What Are the Characteristics of God's Teachers? (cont.):
"Development of Trust. First they must go through a period of undoing. This need not be painful, but it usually is so experienced. It seems as if things are being taken away, and it is rarely understood initially that their lack of value is merely being recognized. How can lack of value be perceived unless the perceiver is in a position where he must see things in a different light? He is not yet at a point at which he can make the shift entirely internally. And so the plan will sometimes call for changes in what seem to be external circumstances. These changes are always helpful. When the teacher of God has learned that much, he goes on to the second stage."
Gloria:
It seems, dear God, that everything is about seeing in a different light.
God:
To begin to see everything in My light.