WHAT LIES WITHIN ©

Brenda J. Crawford-Bee

One day I shall truly know and love the God within me -- and only then will I recognize the God in others.  For are not others just a reflection of my own true self?

But first, I must love the little self and have courage to be a fool of God -- because God IS and I AM… I AM a divine spark of the Source.

My spiritual goal is to know that truth, freedom and loves dwells within me. 

  Recognizing Miracles

By Brenda J. Crawford-Bee

     I often recognize miracles in my life, but after the fact, because it’s a lot harder to see the miracles in the throes of any particular challenge.  Not too long ago, I was often distressed and overwhelmed, and at times, I doubted that I could endure another day… of being tested and overcoming.  I felt I was going through every test imaginable – daily! 

     "The highest truth is not written in any book, it's written in the heart"... Harold Klemp."

    During this time, I attended a lecture and wherein a man shared about job and health challenges, among other problems he was facing.  I’m sure that talk touched all of those who heard it because to the best of my recall, there was hardly a dry eye in the house. This man said that he had learned to welcome the tests and challenges that come into his life.  By welcoming hardships, tests and challenges, it allowed him to go deep within and come up with creative ways to get through them and so enter a higher state of consciousness.  I was in awe that he felt so strongly about hardships – so much so that he welcomed each and every one!  I began looking forward to the day that I would reach that state of acceptance.

    Am I getting better at recognizing miracles in all the tests that come into my l life?  More often than not, I don’t think to ask, when in the midst of troubles, “Why are these things happening for me?”  But eventually I do remember and that’s when I know, with every fiber of my being, that I am being blessed with every painful step I take.  I recognize it even more when I’m able to get out of my own way.  After all, I (Soul) am part of a divine solution to all my problems; and when I’ve had enough and surrender completely – that’s when I fully recognize the miracles.  In the knowledge that I am Soul, that I cannot be wronged, injured, broken or stolen from, then I’m truly recognizing miracles in my life.  When I’m able to look at my fellow man, with all his fears, insecurities, judgments, loving qualities and other attributes and recognize myself in him, then I’m recognizing miracles.

     Last year I had a goal and resolved to make myself responsible and accountable for getting to a spiritual World Wide Seminar in Minneapolis.  I was determined to do whatever was necessary to reach that goal.  In looking back on all the occurrences, there were many dark forces at work.  But now it is very clear to me that it was all part of a divine plan.

      Just as I was feeling reassured and had the air fare, hotel room and other expenses accounted for, a car repair, towing bill and a ticket took a big chunk out of my plans.  But I was determined to pay my own way to attend this World Wide Seminar.  I worked many hours, including working up to a few hours before the scheduled departure time, to recoup the funds.  Lack of sleep and an aching back didn’t make things any easier! People close to me kept saying that I was pushing myself too hard, that nothing could be that important!  Others tried to persuade me to reconsider my decision and change my plans.  Yet the more they questioned my decision, the more my determination prevailed. But in the end, I boarded that plane!

    Now, I start each day with joyful expectation and I always expect the unexpected!  I affirm, “Today is a new day, a new beginning; I have much to give and receive today”.  I know that each day is another opportunity for me to practice recognizing blessings and miracles in everything!

     This experience taught me to see that the problems and challenges in my life are really all about change, but mostly about changing my viewpoint.  And when upheaval in my life occurs, or when my plans don’t go the way I think they should, I don’t let it crush me.  But there is a part of me that longs to be in control, while yet another part of me wants to just accept what is; but Soul, the real me, wants me to rest in the arms of the Divine and recognize miracles in everything.  All the while, doing the best I can in every situation, no matter what I’m experiencing.  And when I have the realization that Divine Love is already there and that I’m exactly where I need to be, then I know I truly do experience blessings and miracles in my life everyday.