The Angel

Barefoot and dirty, the little girl just sat in the park and watched people go by. She never tried to speak, she never said a word. Many people passed, but not one person glanced her way, no one stopped, including me.

The next day I decided to go back to the park, curious if the little girl would still be there. Right in the very spot she was yesterday, she sat perched on high, with the saddest look in her eyes.

But, today I could not just walk away, concerned only with my affairs. Instead found myself walking over to the little girl. For as we all know, a park full of strange people is not a place for young children to play alone. As I began walking towards her, I could see the back of the little girl's dress, indicated a deformity. I figured that was the reason the people just passed by and made no effort to care. As I got closer, the little girl slightly lowered her eyes to avoid my intent stare. I could see the shape of her back more clearly. It was grotesquely shaped in a humped over form.

I smiled to let her know it was okay, I was there to help, to talk. I sat down beside her and opened with a simple "hello". The little girl acted shocked and stammered a "hi" after a long stare into my eyes. I smiled and she shyly smiled back. We talked 'til darkness fell and the park was completely empty. Everyone was gone and we were
alone I asked the girl why she was so sad. The little girl looked at me and said, "Because I am different." I immediately said "That you are!" and smiled. The little girl acted even sadder, she said, "I know."

"Little girl", I said "you remind me of an angel, sweet and innocent." She looked at me and smiled slowly, she stood to her feet and said, "Really?" "Yes, dear, you're like a little guardian angel sent to watch over all those people walking by." She nodded her head 'yes' and smiled, and with that she spread her wings and said, " I am.

I'm your guardian angel." with a twinkle in her eye. I was speechless, sure I was seeing things. She said, "And when you began thinking of someone other than yourself, my job here was done."

Immediately I stood to my feet and said, "Wait, so why did no one else stop to help an angel?" She looked at me and smiled, "You're the only one who could see me", and she was gone.

With that my life was changed dramatically. So when you think you're all you have, remember, your angel is always watching over you.

Mine was....

Pass this on to everyone that means anything at all to you and make sure you send it back to the person who sent it to you, to let them know you are glad they cared about you...like the story says, we all need someone.

For every one of your friends is an angel in his or her own way.

I found these readings in my "Life Recovery Bible" and was reminded so much of the very special friendship I have with my sponsor that I had to share them. Enjoy.

David and Jonathan

 

It is amazing that David and Jonathan formed one of the greatest friendships in history! There were vast differences between the two. The oldest son of King Saul, Jonathan was heir apparent to the throne of Israel. He was an experienced soldier, distinguished for his courage in battle. He was probably fifteen years older than David.

David, on the other hand, was the youngest son of Jesse and was a shepherd in the town of Bethlehem. When Jonathan first met him, David was probably a teenager and looked the part of the junior shepherd boy. And though he demonstrated the bold heart of a warrior when he defeated Goliath, he was primarily known as a talented musician in King Sauls court.

There seemed to be two basic ingredients that shaped this unlikely relationship. They shared a common faith and commitment to God, and they loved each other unconditionally.

Their friendship was put to the test, however. David was anointed by Samuel, the prophet, to succeed Saul as King. As a result Saul tried repeatedly to kill David. This placed Jonathan at odds with his father. He risked himself to protect and encourage David, the one who would take his place as Israels future king. No wonder David grieved so heavily at Jonathans untimely death! It is a gift to have a friend who loves unconditionally. Building these relationships in our life is invaluable in recovery for ourselves and for others.

 

Strengths and Accomplishments:

• David and Jonathan were men of faith and courage.
• They loved each other unconditionally.
• They demonstrated great perseverance in their relationship.
• Jonathan was one of the great encouragers in the Bible.

Lessons From Their Lives:

• Mutual commitment to God and unconditional love are vital ingredients in relationships.
• Difficulties can test and strengthen relationships.
• Encouragement vitalizes any relationship.

Key Verse:

Prince Jonathan now went to find David; he met him at Horesh and encouraged him in his faith in God.

(1 Samuel 23:16)

 

Timothy

 

            When we have found a good friend, we have found a treasure. This is especially true as we struggle through the stages of recovery. We need people who are faithful and willing to persevere with us through the hard times. We need the love and acceptance that only a true friend can offer. The friendship between young Timothy and the apostle Paul brought significant support and encouragement to both men.

            Paul described Timothy as a faithful brother with a solid reputation. Timothy was devoted to Paul and shared many of his triumphant victories in the ministry. But Timothy didnt stay around only when things were going well. He persevered with Paul during the difficult times of imprisonment, torture, and mockery as well. Their years of shared ministry grew into a lifelong friendship.

            Paul referred to Timothy with admiration in many of his letters. He called him a beloved and trustworthy child in the Lord (1 Corinthians 4:17) and my fellow worker (Romans 16:21). In his letter to the Philippians, Paul referred to Timothy with the highest praise, and then added that he had been just like a son to him (Philippians 2:22). In his letters to Timothy, Paul expressed great affection for him. Pauls personal involvement in Timothys ministry was shown when Paul reminded him to stir into flame the strength and boldness that is in you, that entered into you when I laid my hands upon your head and blessed you (2 Timothy 1:6).

            Timothy was never known as a charismatic or strong leader. He was apparently somewhat timid and afraid to confront his people, especially the older men. But he was faithful and persevered in his ministry despite his fears and trials. Paul supported Timothy in his ministry, realizing that God had called this young man into special service for him. Despite his weaknesses, Timothy was used by God to build the church and to encourage his more charismatic coworker, Paul.

            Our recovery requires that we allow people into our life for both support and accountability. We need to ask God for a Timothy someone who has integrity, who can be trusted, and who will stand by our side through anything. When we find our Timothy, we will be equipped to face the trials of recovery.

 

Strengths and Accomplishments:

• Timothy had an excellent reputation for his faithfulness.
• He was a special friend to the apostle Paul.
• He stood by Paul even in the most difficult circumstances.
• He was a faithful minister of the gospel.

Weaknesses and Mistakes:

• Timothy struggled with his youth and timidity.
• He had stomach problems, possibly related to anxiety.

Lessons From his life:

• Our fears and inadequacies need not stop us from serving God.
• Good friendships are extremely valuable, especially in recovery.

Key Verse:

Finally, when I could stand it no longer, I decided to stay alone in Athens and send Timothy, our brother and fellow worker, Gods minister, to visit you to strengthen your faith and encourage you and to keep you from becoming fainthearted in all the troubles you were going through. (1 Thessalonians 3:1-3)

A Course In Miracles

What is the Christ?

Christ is Gods Son as He created Him. He is the Self we share, uniting us with one another, and with God as well. He is the Thought Which still abides within the Mind that is His Source. He has not left His holy home, nor lost the innocence in which He was created. He abides unchanged forever in the Mind of God.

Christ is the link that keeps you one with God, and guarantees that separation is no more than an illusion of despair, for hope forever will abide in Him. Your mind is part of His, and His of yours. He is the part in which Gods Answer lies; where all decisions are already made, and dreams are over. He remains untouched by anything the bodys eyes perceive. For though in Him His Father placed the means for your salvation, yet does He remain the Self Who, like His Father, knows no sin.

Home of the Holy Spirit, and at home in God alone, does Christ remain at peace within the Heaven of your holy mind. This is the only part of you that has reality in truth. The rest is dreams. Yet will these dreams be given unto Christ, to fade before His glory and reveal your holy Self, the Christ, to you at last.

The Holy Spirit reaches from the Christ in you to all your dreams, and bids them come to Him, to be translated into truth. He will exchange them for the final dream which God appointed as the end of dreams. For when forgiveness rests upon the world and peace has come to every Son of God, what could there be to keep things separate, for what remains to see except Christs face?

And how long will this holy face be seen, when it is but the symbol that the time for learning now is over, and the goal of the Atonement has been reached at last? So therefore let us seek to find Christs face and look on nothing else. As we behold His glory, will we know we have no need of learning or perception or of time, or anything except the holy Self, the Christ whom God created as His Son.

Father, Christs vision is the way to You. What He beholds invites Your memory to be restored to me. And this I choose to be what I would look upon today.

Meditation for the Day

You were born with a spark of the Divine within you. It had been all but smothered by the life you were living. That celestial fire has to be tended and fed so that it will grow eventually into a real desire to live the right way. By trying to do the will of God, you grow more and more in the new way of life. By thinking of God, praying to Him, and having communion with Him, you gradually grow more like Him. The way of your transformation from the material to the spiritual is the way of Divine Companionship.

Prayer for the Day

I'm A Christian

~Maya Angelou~

When I say... "I am a Christian,"

I'm not shouting, "I'm clean livin'.

I'm whispering, "I was lost,

Now I'm found and forgiven."

When I say..."I am a Christian,"

I don't speak of this with pride.

I'm confessing that I stumble,

And need Christ to be my guide.

When I say... "I am a Christian,"

I'm not trying to be strong.

I'm professing that I'm weak,

And need HIS strength to carry on.

When I say... "I am a Christian,"

I'm not bragging of success.

I'm admitting I have failed,

And need God to clean my mess.

When I say... "I am a Christian,"

I'm not claiming to be perfect.

My flaws are far too visible,

But God believes I am worth it.

When I say... "I am a Christian,"

I still feel the sting of pain.

I have my share of heartaches,

So I call upon His name.

When I say... "I am a Christian,"

I'm not holier than thou.

I'm just a simple sinner

The treasure within
~Ralph Marston~

You are the person you choose to be. So choose to be the person who fulfills and brings to life the values you hold most dearly.

Today is your opportunity to express yourself to the world through the life you live and the actions you take.

The challenges of this moment provide a rich canvas upon which you can paint the highest vision you have.

Listen to the yearnings of your heart and keep pointing yourself in their direction. By focusing on what is truly meaningful, you will cause much real value and richness to spring forth from the life you live.

Choose to glide right past the shallow concerns that hold so many people back. Keep your eye on the big picture, and create new positive substance as each moment passes.

Go beyond merely appearing to be happy, and dive into the authentic joy of making a positive difference. Give the best that you have to life, and you'll find each day to be even more fulfilling than the last.

There is a treasure within you that is yearning to weave itself into the fabric of life. Go ahead and let it come shining through.

Start living
~Ralph Marston~

Stop worrying about what you don't have and start finding real joy in what you do have. Stop agonizing over what might happen and start moving toward the best of what can happen.

All the richness of life is here today for you to touch. The limitless abundance of the universe is yours right now to experience.

Any shortcomings you come across are mostly a product of the perspective you choose. Expand your perspective and the shortcomings disappear.

Stop being afraid to fail and you'll start to consistently and spectacularly succeed. To climb the highest peak you must be willing to occasionally slide backwards.

Stop being your own worst enemy and start acting true to the deepest purpose within you. There is so much wisdom you already possess that you can use when you choose to listen to your own best advice.

Stop merely going through the motions and start living each moment with joy and meaning. Discover and fulfill the golden treasure that is your life.

Creating Space

~Rainer Maria Rilke~

We need to create space if we desire to change and grow. Only in emptiness can meaning, intuitive guidance and truth arise.

Give yourself space by spending time in nature, taking an hour or day off, enjoying quiet moments for reflection. Take time to smell the roses. Breathe in the wonder of life and its bounty. Open so your deeper awareness and imagination can percolate through mundane thoughts and activities. Let go of both resistance and force to allow yourself to connect more deeply to life.

"I do only want to advise you to keep growing quietly and seriously throughout your whole development; you cannot disturb it more rudely than by looking outward and expecting from outside replies to questions that only your inmost feeling in your most hushed hour can perhaps answer."

A Course In Miracles

Lesson 264

I am surrounded by the Love of God.

Father, You stand before me and behind, beside me, in the place I see myself, and everywhere I go. You are in all the things I look upon, the sounds I hear, and every hand that reaches for my own. In You time disappears, and place becomes a meaningless belief. For what surrounds Your Son and keeps him safe is Love Itself. There is no Source but This, and nothing is that does not share Its holiness; that stands beyond Your one creation, or without the Love Which holds all things within Itself. Father, Your Son is like Yourself. We come to You in Your Own Name today, to be at peace within Your everlasting Love.

---
"I slept and dreamed that life was joy.
I awoke and saw that life was service.
I acted and behold, service was joy."
~Tagore~

Peace.
Bill

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A Course In Miracles

Lesson 258

Let me remember that my goal is God.

All that is needful is to train our minds to overlook all little senseless aims, and to remember that our goal is God. His memory is hidden in our minds, obscured by our pointless little goals which offer nothing, and do not exist. Shall we continue to allow Gods grace to shine in unawareness, while the toys and trinkets of the world are sought instead? God is our only goal, our only Love. We have no aim but to remember Him.

Our goal is but to follow in the way that leads to You. We have no goal but this. What could we want but to remember You? What could we seek but our Identity?

Peace.
Bill