Gloria:
Dear God, it seems like everything helps me to see more clearly. Someone's comment. A chance word here and there. From a little something, I glimpse where I'm coming from, what and how I think.
For example, a dear friend recently explained to me what some of the spiritual goodness happening to me meant.
I backed off from what was being said. At first I thought I resisted because of a specific reference of hers, but later it dawned on me that I want to hear what is happening only from You, dear God. It is simply that. I don't want an explanation. I want to be innocent and look to You and not to someone else, not my friend, not sages etc. I don't want someone else's words. I want Yours.
While this was becoming clearer to me, I was at a yard sale and flipping through books, and one line in a book whose title I don't remember clarified further what I was feeling. It said: It's the question that matters, not the answer.
Years ago when I taught in public school, a seventh grade class and I were working on grammar, and the principal came into observe. I asked the kids what they thought the meaning might be of what we were discussing. And they gave wonderful answers, none of which was the "correct" answer. But their answers stirred the whole thing around and made it real and important.
Finally, the principal blurted out: "The answer's right here in the book. There's the answer."
Even way back then, I seemed to know that the answer wasn't the thing. I also felt that the principal's need to give an answer was a testament to good teaching. He was no longer an observer but had become a participant!
It's like an answer is flat and closes something. The question opens it, and I seem to prefer open to closed.
God:
Ah, the stirring of the soup. Turning the stove on under the soup is more exciting than turning it off. Putting the ingredients in is more fun than the finished soup. Creating the soup is more than the soup concluded.
Painting a work of art is more fulfilling than when it is done.
Of course exploration and discovery are much more than being told something. You want to explore and discover through yourself. An answer tossed to you is like the misfortune of a rich child who has been given everything. Where is the joy?
Everyone must discover for himself.
And everyone must be allowed to discover for himself.
My children are foragers.
They like to pick raspberries themselves.
More fun than being handed a box.
You would rather pick out the fruit in a store than buy it plastic-wrapped.
You like to handle the fruit.
Feel it in your hand.
So it is with life.
So it is with learning.
You want to make it yours.
Yes, the question is much more than its answer.
A journey is more than the reaching of its destination.
Be careful about doing too much for others or letting others do too much for you.
If the answer is handed to you, you miss out on too much. It is over.
Opening the book is more fun than closing it.
Going to the movies is more exciting than leaving the theatre.
Let life come to you.
Let understanding arise within you.
Understanding cannot come from the outside.
Explanations can come from outside, but explanations are not understanding.
No one can understand for you.
Each must turn on the light himself.
That is freedom.
Gloria:
God, I used to believe and say, "Truth is truth." No matter who said it. Now I am not so sure. If I said the Gettysburg Address word for word, it still would not be the Gettysburg Address. It would not have Lincoln's consciousness, but mine.
God:
Anyone can say words. The same words, if they are not your truth, then they are only words. If someone were to say, "Love is the most important thing", and they are blocked to love, then the words are not their truth. If they are not their truth, are they truth as spoken?
If you ate a strawberry, and you couldn't taste it, and you said the strawberry is sweet, you would be telling untruth. Untruth is always felt. It may not be looked at, it may be avoided, but a moment of recognition is there.
How many times have you said something that you didn't mean, Gloria?
Gloria:
A lot. Less now.
God:
So you know what I am talking about.
Gloria:
But love IS the most important thing.
God:
We are talking energy now. If someone makes that statement without the energy of love and truth, it is not truth.
Gloria:
It is not his truth.
God:
It is not his truth and therefore he has spoken untruth. Someone could measure the sweetness of a strawberry on a scale and it tests very sweet, but if the person who does not taste it says it tastes sweet, he has told untruth.
Untruth is hollow.
The energy of untruth is always conveyed.
The energy of truth is also always conveyed.
It is never hidden.
Convey the energy of truth.
Do not parrot.
The energy of truth is the energy of love.
Pure energy is truth.
Distorted energy is untruth.
Gloria:
Dear God, isn't it true that there is only love?
God:
Yes. I am all that there is. Any manifestation is only a manifestation. And untruth is a distorted manifestation of truth and My love.
Just be conscious enough to be in your truth, not someone else's, not what your truth once was or what you want it to be. Simple truth. Your truth. Honest with yourself.
* * *
Nancy L. to Heavenletters:
Diane's question May 3 was a very good one. I remind myself also I am not my pottery, my house or my garden, a housekeeper or a spouse. My daughter has been so distant that I certainly know that I am not a mother alone. I seek that unity with God also.
Thank you for your question, Diane.
Margaret to Heavenletters:
WOW! Loved God's answer to Diane!