God is Great because....

God hangs in there with you even through the tough times. Tough times here are defined as "when you turn your back on God". Even when you get caught up in the "drama" of your life, forgetting all the wisdom that lies in putting your faith in God, God waits for you to return.

God is Great because....

God plants joy for you everywhere. Joy can be found in the most unexpected places and at the most inopportune times. It is possible to find joy just about anywhere. God put it there as a gift for you. When you find joy, en-joy it! (And remember to pass it on...joy is a gift that keeps on giving....)

God is Great because....

God lets you "do your own thing." God allows you to exercise your free will in any situation (generally speaking).

I am beginning to read a wonderful book called "Transforming Fate into Destiny" by Robert Ohotto.
"You may have heard that Fate is the hand of cards that life deals you, and Destiny is how you play it. This means that through your soul’s agreement with Destiny, you must transform your Fate into something more life affirming, thus leaving this world a better place. Destiny is your capacity to live out the threads of your Fate in a unique way that only you can do, while having a positive vibrational impact on the world’s energy and soul.” – From the book

God is Great because....

God is always with you. God is the carry-on bag on the flight of your life. God can never not be with you. That is because, in a very real and not at all imaginary way, God IS you. The idea that your separation from God is an illusion is not a new one. But when you stop and think about it, you realize how fundamentally true it is. The separation is an illusion simply because it is an idea in our minds. But just as the cell has a consciousness, God is a consciousness. The cell and God consciousness are one. We are made of cells. Therefore, we are made of God. True, it can sound tautological (defining something in terms of itself)to speak of ourselves this way. But if God is merely the great I AM, then there need not be any more clarity than that. I am, therefore I am. It's simple, really. (But not easy for us to understand.)

God is Great because....

God is an unending source of love. When we feel our own wells go dry, and, let's face it, that happens with astonishing regularity, God is the source - for sustenance, renewal, nourishment. We don't need to deserve this, any more than we need to deserve food and water and the basics for survival. Simply by virtue of being alive, we are eligible to receive the love. The ONLY thing WE have to do? Step out of our own way (in our minds and in our hearts), and LET the LOVE in. That is all.

God is Great because....

...God always puts you in the exact place for your optimal learning. It is up to you whether to take the opportunity that is placed before you. This is an ongoing process. Missing an opportunity for growth does not disqualify you from the next opportunity. God is good that way. You will be provided with multiple chances to "get it."

No turning back now

A birthday seems like a good time to reflect on the prior year, and anticipate the coming year. Although I've undergone many changes in the year gone by, most of them have been external: a transatlantic move being the most prominent. Of course, I had an idealistic hope that this move would be the catalyst for other changes. I would rather not enumerate them here, but suffice to say the changes are of a more internal nature. That means I start with the woman in the mirror. I spend a lot of time and energy taking care of my family. Let's face it: they are a high maintenance bunch, each in their own way.
But what about Meredith? The ways I take care of myself are generally, er, expedient in nature. I think the first change will be to do less of that. That sounds cryptic, and it is meant to be so. I am playing my cards close to the chest. I want to be mysterious. I need to stop making excuses and start making sense - to myself.
And that is my birthday reflection.