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Wisdom Story
“I shall remain a wanderer until mankind has learned the way of peace, walking until I am given shelter and fasting until I am given food,” spoke Peace Pilgrim (d. 1981). Peace Pilgrim traveled by foot over 25,000 miles for peace. When questioned about her history, Peace Pilgrim replied she had no other name and no home, other than a forwarding address in New Jersey. She told only she came from a poor family, had little formal education, possessed no special talents, and led a guided life.
Regarding her surrender to the Over-Flowing-Blessing Life, Peace Pilgrim commented:
... I desired to know and do God's will for me. Spiritual growth is not easily attained, but it is well worth the effort. It takes time, just as any growth takes time. One should rejoice at small gains and not be impatient, as impatience hampers growth.
The path of gradual relinquishment of things hindering spiritual progress is a difficult path, for only when relinquishment is complete do the rewards really come. The path of quick relinquishment is an easy path, for it brings immediate blessings. And when God fills your life, God's gifts overflow to bless all you touch.
To me, it was an escape from the artificiality of illusion into the richness of reality. To the world it may seem that I had given up much. I had given up burdensome possessions, spending time meaninglessly doing things I knew I should not do and not doing things I knew I should do. But to me it seemed that I had gained much—even the priceless treasures of health and happiness.
Suggested Reflection
1) What do you think Peace Pilgrim might have meant by the "artificiality of illusion"?
2) What are you truly giving up that other persons enjoy and giving up to overflow with Diving blessings?
3) What is meant for you by being filled with God? Are you filled with God?
4) What would you be willing to relinquish to be the blessing God desires you to be?
5) Is there something good in your life that still you need to surrender freely to be filled more with God?
Rejoice!
See next page for details on OneLife Ministries, Brian's book An Ache for Union, and material pertaining to sources used in the writing.
Feel free to submit a query. Thanks! Brian K. Wilcox
See next page for Invitation to writer's contemplative village, purpose of OneLife, data on ordering author's book and upcoming devotionals 2008, and material on citations.
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