It can be but my gratitude I earn.

7-17-2026

In Robert Perry’s commentary, he called this lesson a sequel to yesterday’s.

“Yesterday’s idea said that our attacks only hurt our own minds. Today’s idea says that our gifts earn our own gratitude.” ~ Robert Perry, Lesson 197 commentary, circleofA.org.

“How easily are God and guilt confused by those who know not what their thoughts can do.” [CE W-197.2:1]

In my reflection yesterday I entered the parts of my mind that were continuing the program of a hurtful God. A loving God is what my heart and my conscious mind know.

Have I cleared the space of false beliefs in my mind about this so the God of Love can be within my subconscious beliefs?

No is HS’s response — more work to do. I am told that guilt holds the key.

My definition of guilt would be something like … guilt is my belief that I have sinned which grows into thoughts that I repeat. This then brings up a memory to burden me.

As I see sin as ‘self-inflicted nonsense’, I can claim that guilt does not bother me. But I do have guilt because guilt comes from my judgement that I have done something wrong. This idea is not smoothed over so easily as I am always judging, comparing wrong and right to what I see in the world. I am part of this crazy world, so I make mistakes.

Do I still see God as judging my mistakes? Is there a part of me who is judge of this world (and me) who I mistake as the perspective of God? HS says yes.

I need to spend time with this part, ‘the Judge’, to learn about who is swaying my thoughts.

7-17-2024

In her notes for this lesson, Hollie calls the gratitude we are meant to understand, and strive for, as “where we see every act of service as being directly in service to Love.” This helped me so much to enter the gift of this lesson as my mind is preoccupied with a stressful interaction with someone.

I had to leave an online review for a service person. I was not totally satisfied with the service, so I gave 4 stars instead of 5 and tried to explain my disappointment with a portion of the job. In my mind I did my best to express that I was giving the grade of a ‘B’ instead of an ‘A’. The person has responded defensively online.

How can this lesson help me with this situation?

First, as I continued reading, I brought in the thought of guiltlessness – no wrongs were done just mis-perceptions for them and me. Next, I called in the grace of forgiveness to extend across the miles to ease any hurt or aggression.

I wish to bring only Love to this situation, so I ask HS to be present for all parties involved.

_/\_

In this gratitude loop, Love is flowing through me.

7-18-2023

“It is in giving that we receive.” ~ Saint Francis

“Your gratitude is all your gifts require.”

I find I need to pull this lesson apart to simplify and understand. In our offerings, gifts, to others we should feel gratitude to give whether our offering is acknowledged, accepted, or appreciated. Our intension to give of ourselves puts Love into flow, and whether the Love is blocked by an individual matters not as it is still flowing in the system.

We assist God in action. Love moves, and we feel part of the flow when we give and do not block.

7-16-2022

… trying to understand this.

The first paragraph explains that we are looking for reward or praise for our gifts and then attack if not received – we expect God to act the same. If we are One, my gifts are given to All.

If a leaf of a tree absorbs moisture from the rain, the stem, the branch, trunk, roots all receive. Should the leaf be upset if the stem doesn’t give thanks or complains wanting more? All are in receipt. (And what the leaf gave came from a greater Source!)

Hollie used the term ‘loop’ in a gratitude process – the leaf and stem are just part of a loop.