Have you ever had the blessing of meeting someone, considered before you met them, that they are a stranger? When they appeared before you, whether in person or even on a screen being used for a zoom, something happened. The site of their face and expression, a smile, an inquisitive nature that was apparent. Then this individual spoke and something stirred in you and the thought may have been, I want this individual in my life. Actually the love that rises up within you has blown through any need to know anything more about them because everything that is necessary has already presented itself to your eyes, ears, heart and soul. This is what I experienced when I met Rev. Stacy Collins about 3 1/2 years ago. 

My friend Michael Gott, sorry honey, the beloved Rev. Michael Gott, talked to me about a series being presented at Unity of Houston at that time. Spirit Groups engaged individuals who took a leadership role as hosts, then people signed up for a host or a time and place, live or on zoom, that fit into their schedule. Each group was guided by a video and a list of questions that further explored the message offered on the previous Sunday morning. I loved watching these videos as I had another opportunity to see and hear my beloved friend and the messages of his heart and consciousness. Of course there was a song sung. Glory Hallelujah!

Michael asked me to meet with Stacy Collins, who was leader of the Spirit Groups at the time while in ministerial school. He reminded me of the role of a host, not a facilitator. I heard him and in many ways, I saw myself being a facilitator, this is one of my favorite things, I love it, inquiring deep into what those who are attending my class for whatever their reasons are. All are always welcome. I did not become a host, I knew it early on.

The day came that I was to zoom with Stacy and discover the duties and responsibilities of being a host. I logged on, and there she was. I was smitten in a matter of a few brief minutes. I was in one of those moments, that had happened only a few times before. Meeting, seeing, hearing, feeling and experiencing her meeting me, introducing herself in a way that went way beyond what she was saying. I loved her. I wanted her in my life. I deeply hoped that she would like me. Would it be possible for her to feel about me the way I was already being blessed by her? The question lingered for months and months and months, even though there was much evidence that she liked me, possibly even loving me. When I told Michael that I realized I had brought her to me. His response was “as she drew you to her.” In the hearing of this, my imaginary distance from her began to shrink. I was willing to take her off the pedestal and being a fan. I wanted to sit eye to eye with her and have found over these last few years, we speak of our love and respect for each other. It appears that we have much in common. I still have a reverence for her wisdom, her wit and sense of humor, her profound commitment to her family, her work and a consciousness I am in awe of.

I have often mentioned Rev. Michael Beckwith to hundreds of people in my company, whatever the reason we have gathered. He is a singular figure that led me to become a Practitioner. Of course God had a great deal to do with that as well. Decades ago he and I were in Merrill Hall, located at the Asilomar Retreat grounds south of the City, near Monterey Bay, where the Centers for Spiritual Living held their annual retreat. I attended that event numerous times. It was the place Where I met Rickie and Michael. OMG

I told MBB of the love I had for him, what I had learned from listening to him on the enormous amount of tapes and CDs of sermons over many years. I also told him the way I held him, high above me. He asked me to sit down, so we did. He looked me in the eye and told me that there was no difference in us, even though he, being black and a man, me, being white and a woman. Underneath all of that evidence of different and separate, we are seen and held in God in the same way. God is infinite, it does not measure. I have always measured everything, comparing all things, in competition with everyone. Anyone else???

That day, I made a decision to release the bondage I was living in most of my life. I would love to tell you honestly that this decision changed by life in an instant. It did not. It did give me a prospective, and at times, I engaged in that false belief while continually letting go and eventually found myself in a place of noticing that I began to be happy for other people, not envying them or being jealous of what they attained instead of me. I still remember what I harvested from my relationship with Rev. Michael Bernard Beckwith, a bounty of harvests. If you ask anyone who has attended one of my offerings in classes, workshops, retreats, Spirit Groups, Power of Inquiry sessions, and daily conversations, I often quote Rev. Michael and continue to grow and profit from his powerful wisdom.

I am now able and incredibly willing to sit across from my beloved Stacy Collins and honor this relationship that has flowered into a powerful gift of friendship plus the continuing growth and expansion of my mind, heart and soul. Thank you dear Stacy. 

I heard my friend Stacy speak today at Unity of Houston. She was eloquent as usual. I was moved, inspired, uplifted and in awe, as usual. I say as usual because it always has been my experience when listening to her, whether it is a sermon or her sharing about what is alive in her. For me, listening to her is a profound gift. I invite us all to listen more. Jane Fonda once said, “it is more important to be interested than interesting. Stay curious”

My intention, when I began to write this blog, was to share with you Stacy’s message, which blessed me today. I guess God has something else in mind. Instead, I’m inviting you to check her out. You can probably find it on the Unity of Houston website and on YouTube. She is saying it much more eloquently that I could ever do. I also invite you, as you listen, to ask yourself the question, “do I truly believe what she is saying about the truth of God and my being?”

I did. May you find the responses to this question contribute to your realization of what and who you are. You can thank me later. Even a better idea is that you feel led to give thanks to yourself for listening, paying attention to what truly matters. Keep listening.

Postscript: The grand and glorious Rickie Byars has shared with us a most extraordinary catalog of music over the past 40 years. One of those songs was part of Stacy’s message today. As I listened to her speak, in her closing prayer, she mentioned letting love wash over us, letting peace wash over us. My eyes had already closed, I thought of Rickie’s song, “Let It Be.”

Wrapped in the holiness of the moment, I heard the song being sung. Opening my eyes, the wonderful Unity musicians were delivering this message in song. Oh my, what a moment. I am fulfilled.

Invitation: I strongly and emphatically invite you to check it out. I did and will continue to honor her by listening to what she says and does in her commitment to God. May we all continue to stay committed to that which serves us so generously.