Look For the Good

When my first husband told me he wanted a divorce, it was difficult to see the good in the situation. I was downright depressed and devastated. It seemed like the worst day of my life and it came less than one year after our wedding. But years later, in hindsight, I saw the divine order at work. In fact, I saw it as one of the greatest blessings in my life.

It can be hard to look for the good in all the challenges in our lives. When you're in the midst of the challenge, it can seem almost impossible. The important thing is to have faith and KNOW that even though we can't see a blessing in our situation, that some day we will. Usually that is what happens. It's like being in the eye of a storm and feeling peace that even though the winds and rain are all around you, that it will soon pass and the sun will be visible again. The truth is that the sun is always there, even though we can't always see it. Spirit is always there in every challenge too, but we don't always feel it. That is why faith is important.

I read an article about Marissa Jaret Winokur, the actress. When she was 27, Winokur was living in New York and starring in a Broadway show. She won a Tony Award for her performance as Tracy Turnblad in "Hairspray". Then a pap smear revealed that she had cervical cancer. She had a hysterectomy and it was during this time that her friend, Judah, became much more than just a friend.  Cancer strengthened and deepened their relationship.She and Judah are now married and have a son through surrogacy. She believes that her son, Zev, came to her as a result of her cancer. Marissa now says, "I thank God I had cancer."

I feel that my divorce from my first marriage was a blessing. I had not really been happy in the relationship, but because my parents had been divorced, I decided to stay the course and remain married. Thank goodness my first husband decided otherwise! He set me free to then marry my current husband who is my spiritual partner and soulmate.

I read an article the other day about how over 50% of people who have lost their jobs during this recession have either found that something good came as a result, or they believe that it will lead to something better. And time and time again, we all have seen this proven in our lives if we really think about it. As the old saying goes, "Every cloud has a silver lining." We just need to have faith that it's there, keep our eyes and our mind open, and look for the good.

Comments

[Lynn]

Hello Rev. Carla Golden!

I am new to the Unity movement. I left Catholicism long ago, studied many paths, and have found Unity to be incredibly interesting. And sensible. For example, Unity interpretations of the Bible make so much sense to me, and I was NEVER even a reader of the Bible.

Your post really touched me. I was abused terribly as a child, and the decisions I made as a young adult were based on my tortured worldview. When I studied other forms of Christianity, Christians told me God had allowed the abuse--beating, humiliation, other things--to humble me and make me a better servant.

I'd like to think Unity believes such thinking is hogwash. Even though I am far from perfect, I do believe my past has rendered me a sensitive, compassionate human being. But I can no longer stomache the philosophy that a loving God (what I prefer to call "Creative Prinicple") allows the abuse of innocents to make them better people. I loathe the belief that God allowed this to happen to me so I could mature into a good person.

I am beginning to believe, through Unity teachings, that my abusers simply stepped out of the "light" (kindness, care, love, etc.) and into the shadow (child abuse, neglect, etc.). They chose to be awful. This was their use, or MISUSE, of free will.

Does my philosophy coincide with Unity teachings? Or does Unity's belief in "Divine Order" mean that terrible things are necessary in order to render good? I will be happy to explain further if anything seems confusing or needs clarifying.

Thank you so much for your wonderful blog. I will certainly be reading it often!

Lynn