I am Safe in His care.

“By purifying human thought, this state of mind permeates with increased harmony all the minutiae of human affairs. It brings with it wonderful foresight, wisdom, and power; it unselfs the mortal purpose, gives steadiness to resolve, and success to endeavor.”  

Above quote is from Miscellaneous writings 1883-1896 by Mary Baker Eddy, page 204:23-27

I feel like that is what happened to me. I changed the way I was thinking, and everything in my life changed. As most of you know, raised in a physically and verbally abusive home, I grew up with a poor self-image. I believed I was unintelligent and unattractive. My fear of people made it difficult to deal with others, and I did not know love. As an adult, I made poor choices and was unable to forgive my abuser. My life was anything but peaceful or harmonious.

In my forties, I longed for a better life. I read many self-help books and went to therapy for many years, but nothing seemed to help. Then at the lowest point in my life when I felt there was nothing worth living for, someone gave me a book that turned my life around.

Through my study, I discovered a God that made sense to me. Knowing that I was the image and likeness of God, and understanding that meant I reflected all his qualities changed my life. Learning that I was here to glorify God and express his qualities lead me down a better path.

It did not happen overnight; I had trust issues to conquer, and fear to overcome. When I read in II Timothy 1:7 “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” I knew I would succeed. It took time before I could consistently express the qualities needed to change my life. Little by little, my choices improved. I was learning what it meant to, “…seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” I also discovered that God communicated with me, I learned to listen for the ‘still small voice,’ and after a while, I began to trust what He was saying.

This was a new way of thinking for me. Reasoning from Cause (God) to Effect (His Creation) and holding steadfast was working for me. I saw a different world. A world filled with Love.

Part of the following, though not an exact quote, is from my book. It illustrates how I forgave my father.

The turning point came when I got a new job. My supervisor was a copy of my abuser. How could this happen, but what better place to learn how to forgive. While I was learning and growing in my understanding, I lived with this man’s verbal abuse four years. Then one day as he was hollering at me about something, it occurred to me that as God’s image I reflected his courage and strength, that I was not a child anymore, and I did not have to sit there and take his abuse. I felt the fear lift; I stood up, turned my back, and headed for the door. He jumped up and shouted, “Don’t you turn your back on me.”

I heard him move and turned just in time to see him catch himself. He had raised his hand and was about to hit me. I looked him straight in the eyes and said nothing; there was nothing to say. I think the look in my eyes said it all.

I felt compassion for this man, maybe even love. He was doing the best he could, but for me, all the anger, the frustration, and wanting to strike back were gone. I was free. I was able to see past the angry man, to the man God created, the good man in His likeness. I had just learned what it meant to love your enemy. I was starting to understand, not only my relationship but everyone’s relationship with God. This man never talked to me disrespectfully again, and shortly after that, I found a new job.  However, the best thing that happened, I had finally forgiven my father.

As stated in the quote above, “By purifying human thought, this state of mind permeates with increased harmony all the minutiae of human affairs.” This is so true.

If not for improving my thought, I would not have the wonderful life I have today. If not for listening, to the ‘still small voice, I would have continued down the wrong path. If not for God, I would have never found Love, and I would not be here today.

I continue on daily knowing that God is All in All, that it is He who is leading me — trusting that He is providing me with what I need to know to grow in my understanding.

Trusting God restored my life. Learning that all God’s creation reflects Love helped me to understand there is nothing out there that can hurt His image and likeness; I am safe in His care.