How I Used Truth - Lesson 6 - Annotation 5
How did the woman cited in the text (page 67) serve to bring freedom to a certain man?
5. The woman cited in the text became a channel for a certain man's freedom as soon as she recognized her hands as the "hand of God." With this realization she was able symbolically to stretch forth her hand in prayer to this man and offer him the freedom that was God's gift to him.
The letter appearing in the beginning of the book How I Used Truth indicates that the author, Dr. H. Emilie Cady, was herself the woman, and the man referred to in the text was her own father. The letter points out that even though Doctor Cady had sought outer help, as well as prayer help, her father remained in exile. When the problem seemed too heavy for her she cried out to God for help for her father, and God's answer given on the second page of the letter is very clear:
"'I have no hands but human hands. Your hand is my hand; stretch it forth spiritually and give whatsoever you will to whomsoever you will, and I will establish it.'"
The text shows further that Doctor Cady did follow through on this guidance, for such it was. It is important to note that after speaking the word of freedom for her father "she committed the whole matter to Him who invariably establishes the word spoken in faith" and the result was her father's attainment of freedom in the outer.
In recognizing her hands as the "hand of God," Doctor Cady became increasingly aware that God's storehouse contains every idea that can produce the good desired by God's children. Furthermore, she came to realize that God is ready and willing to fulfill every righteous desire. By seeing her hands as the "hand of God," Doctor Cady was able to speak the word of Truth that brought inner freedom to her father. He was then able to accept the outer freedom that was his divine birthright. It is important for us to understand that our part is to "speak the word" and God's part is to establish the Truth contained in the word. We find this very clearly expressed in the twenty-eighth verse of the twenty-second chapter of the book of Job:
"Thou shalt also decree a thing, and it shall be established unto thee;
And light shall shine upon thy ways" (Job 22:28).
Having done our part in decreeing or speaking the Truth for ourselves, or for others, in an uplifted attitude of consciousness, we do as Doctor Cady did: commit the matter to our heavenly Father. God alone can establish the result, in the same manner that the principle of mathematics "establishes" the right answer if we have done our part in correctly applying the rules of the principle.
As co-workers with God, we need to be open-minded to the Truth as it concerns ourselves, other people, and all creation. Limitations may appear in people, or in the manifest world. However, through our understanding of Truth we lift our consciousness above the limitations, the appearance, and "judge righteous judgment" (John 7:24). We may symbolically stretch forth our hands in blessing so that all creation, including man, may receive the freedom that God has already given. When we utter any prayer for another, whether it be for healing, abundance, freedom, or peace, we are doing as Doctor Cady did: recognizing our hands as the "hand of God." Having accepted our own inner freedom we mentally extend to others God's gift of freedom from limitations in mind, body, or affairs.
"They alone are free who persist in holding to the true view of life, regardless of preaccepted theories, and who obey only the voice of the higher self, which holds them to an unswerving performance of the right, both mental and outer, instead of following the voice of their own desires.
"The subject of freedom is inexhaustible. The quest for freedom is endless and is unfulfilled save in the Christ consciousness" (Mysteries of John 88).
________________________
Preceding Entry: When do our hands serve as the "hand of God"?
Following Entry: Where does giving first take place?
