[acimlessons_list] Review II, Lesson 89 - March 30

[Sue Roth]

Review II,  Lesson 89 - March 30

"I am entitled to miracles."

"Let miracles replace all grievances."

PRACTICE SUMMARY

Longer: 2 times (once for each of the ideas), for about 15 minutes

* For 3 or 4 minutes, slowly read over the idea and comments (repeatedly if
you wish) and think about them.

* Close your eyes and spend the remainder listening for the message the Holy
Spirit has for you. We can see this time of listening as having the
following components:

1. Listen "quietly but attentively" (3:1)-listen in stillness and with all
your attention.

2. Hold an attitude of confidence ("this message belongs to me"), desire ("I
want this message"), and determination ("I'm determined to succeed").

3. Listening for ten minutes can easily be one big invitation to mind
wandering, and so the majority of instruction for this exercise deals with
this issue. For out-of-control mind wandering, go back and repeat the first
phase. For more minor wandering, realize the distracting thoughts have no
power and that your will has all the power, and then replace the thoughts
with your will to succeed. Do so with firmness. "Do not allow your intent to
waver" (4:1). "Refuse to be sidetracked" (5:2).

This is not mentioned in the instructions, but you may find it helpful to
actually ask for the message, at the beginning and then periodically
throughout. You may say, for instance, "What is Your message for me today?"
You may even want to use this request as the specific vehicle for dispelling
wandering thoughts.

REMARKS: Regard these exercises as dedication to God. Refuse to be
distracted. Be determined to assume your function today.

SHORTER: Frequent

First half of day: "I am entitled to miracles."

Second half of day: "Let miracles replace all grievances."

RESPONSE TO TEMPTATION: You may use these specific forms or your own words:

First half of day: "Behind this is a miracle to which I am entitled." "Let
me not hold a grievance against you, [name], but offer you the miracle that
belongs to you instead." "Seen truly, this offers me a miracle. "

Second half of the day: "I would not hold this grievance apart from my
salvation." "Let our grievances be replaced by miracles, [name]." "Beyond
this is the miracle by which all my grievances are replaced."

COMMENTARY

Because I am under no laws but God's (the laws of love and of extension,
sharing and giving) I am entitled to miracles (1:2). Giving of miracles is
what God does, in accordance with His laws. The laws of grievances tell me I
am not entitled to miracles. Every grievance I hold on to against a brother
or sister is really my own mind telling me I do not deserve miracles; the
very act of mental attack involved in holding a grievance makes me feel
unworthy of them. Every grievance is hiding a miracle, and by letting the
grievance go I release the miracle to happen.

There is a reason why God gives me miracles; He gives them so that I can
fulfill the function He has given me (1:5), to continue His extension, to
allow Him to love through me. The Course is emphatic on the fact that only
in finding my true function as God's extension and fulfilling it can I be
happy. My goal isn't being blissed out; it is to receive so that I can give,
to accept love so I can share love with others. Like a light bulb that
receives electric current only so that it can shine forth with light, I
receive the miracles of God to extend them to others.

"I unite my will with the Holy Spirit's" (3:2) today; I declare, "Let
miracles replace all grievances" (3:1). I want all of my illusions to be
replaced with truth. I want my grievances to be banished forever from my
mind and replaced with miracles. As I sit quietly this morning I call people
I know to mind and tell them, "Let our grievances be replaced by miracles"
(4:3). I think of war-torn spots on the globe and say, "Let our grievances
be replaced by miracles." Today, I want to offer miracles to each one I
meet. I want to be a channel of miracles; let me not block them with my
grievances, Father.

When something arises in my perception that seems like a cause for grievance
or grief, let me remember: "Behind this is a miracle to which I am entitled"
(2:2). Let me tell myself: "Seen truly, this offers me a miracle" (2:4).
Everything is miracle fodder; nothing is without use in this classroom of
miracles.