As you give, so is it given. Only what you have given away do you possess. What you lose was never yours. What you gain is an opportunity. What you possess is not yours except as you use it in relationships to others, to your Maker, to your purpose, to your fellow man. 1387-7

Helping others is the best way to rid yourself of your own troubles. 5081-1

The greatest service to God is service to His creatures. 254-17

Service opportunities are numerous. A major part of my transition into a spiritually-based life includes service. It enhances my life. I realized that to live on my own in a home may be beyond my means and ability. After the divorce, I gave my home, money and car to God. I committed to use them for His Will as opportunities appeared, like study group meetings, teaching spiritual classes, counseling, art, etc. He would need to help me pay for the upkeep and I would do my best to maintain them. The results are better than I anticipated.

Through years of deep self-searching, prayer and meditation, I cleaned out the false beliefs, changed my values and priorities in my life to clear my connection or channel to God. Without the "roto rooter" action, I could not be real in sending out loving help to others. I had to start over with "new motivations and a real belief system". The change created a selfless automatic response to helping others for the right reasons. (My classes teach these tools.)

The difference is passing out generosity and not superficial deeds of people-pleasing. Reality bases service from my soul's self-love that I accept from my Creator. I manifest this to others. Giving becomes passing on my gifts from God. I am part of the connectedness. It is real if I do not break the energy flow.

Another type of service is commitment to animals. I commend the Kralmans' for their daily activity of caring for their brood of animals as service, including the cost of time, food and medical help. Theirs is a selfless effort to help God's creatures. I have another friend who takes in dogs needing a home. Their love is real. My other friend asked about those dogs passed over in a recent reading. Her interest is still with their well-being.

Recently, I received a phone call to help a person. My old way would have been to say "No" or cover my 'poor me' attitude, with "looking good" efforts. This time even though I was tired, I could examine the situation and decided if I were in the same place, I would want someone to be there for me in the same way.

I mustered myself together, got lost finding her house, ticketed for speeding taking her home, and completed the task. Since my automobile provides transportation for God's errands, I later felt she was an angel in this experience. It seemed like a test to see if I 'walk my talk'. I passed the test. What a feeling!

Who benefits from service? I do. I feel better about myself. I feel younger than ever before from the self-less acts. My actions create happy feelings expressed in God's Grace. I realize that in giving to others, I give to myself. In helping others, I help myself. In combining my will with God's, I find the happiness and heaven on earth, for which I desperately searched. For me service is my will and God's Will manifested into oneness of spirit.

You'll not be in heaven if you're not leaning on the arm of someone you have helped. 3352-1

Knowledge is well, but knowledge without the works or without the application is worse than useless. 1510-1

Only in disillusion and suffering, in time, space, and patience, does he come to the wisdom that his real will is the Will of God, and its practice is happiness and heaven. 2537-1


This column promotes Edgar Cayce's readings applied to practical living. I encourage questions! For more information e-mail me

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