Article January 18, 1982 Issue

Many roles, but one identity

DOROTHY SCHUBERT MATTHEWS

Have you ever watched a comedian in a monologue change hats to indicate to the audience his different characters?

I had my own hat-changing act a few years ago. I was active with family, had a home to manage, increasing responsibilities in church, some social and community work, as well as a growing profession. I would laughingly preface many a conversation with, "At the moment, I'm wearing my mother hat" or "Just let me switch to my committee member hat before we begin this meeting." In my mental closet, there were many identifying hats. Increasingly, though, the hats tended to stack, and I struggled under the pile. When frightening physical problems and fatigue became persistent, "changing hats" ceased to be an amusing reference. I turned to God for help.

The first lovely healing light came very early one holiday morning while I was treasuring quiet communion with our Father-Mother God. Aware that I shortly had to begin the preparations for a busy family day, I found myself yearning to stay consciously with Him. And divine Love answered this prayer! The tender influence of Soul that was causing me to cherish the presence of God was also deepening my perception that one's true selfhood as the child of God is never separated from His presence. Spiritual man lives at one with God as His beloved idea.

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Many roles, but one identity

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