On Sept. 10, 2009, while everyone was celebrating Unity's World Day of Prayer, I was in Greensboro, N. C., at the home of Dr. Maya Angelou presenting her the 6 millionth Complaint-Free bracelet. Dr. Angelou is a powerful and gracious woman. The time I spent with her was rich and will forever be an important moment of my life.

Before we began the ceremony, she told me of a time when she was in Miami and was feeling “very down in the dumps.” She said, “I don't often get that low but I knew what I needed to do.” She said she searched out a Unity church because there she would find the comfort and inspiration she sought.

“I walked into the church and a handsome young black man (Rev. James Trapp) stood up and said exactly what I needed to hear. He said, ‘Why have you limited God?” After a pause, Dr. Angelou said, “I don't remember anything else he said, but I will never forget that. I was, in some way, limiting God to feel that out of sorts.”

Rev. Trapp, who today is the president of the Association of Unity Churches International, then asked Dr. Angelou to stand and speak. She told me, “I took the microphone and I said simply, ‘Thank you, God.' And then I repeated, ‘Thank you, God.' Again and again I just said, ‘Thank you, God.' I probably said ‘Thank you, God' 50 times until the congregation began to say it with me.”

Dr. Angelou smiled and continued, “For nearly three minutes, we all just repeated, ‘Thank you, God.' It was probably the best speech I've ever given. Just ‘Thank you, God.'”

Dr. Angelou spoke to me for 45 minutes on how disempowering complaining is in one's life. When we complain, we limit God. A person who sits on the sidelines complaining rather than owning their situation and taking steps to improve it has negated the power of God. And the first place to begin is to give thanks to God for whatever one is experiencing.

Ask yourself:

•    How have I limited God by complaining about how things are rather than taking steps to improve them?
•    How have I defined myself as a victim rather than claiming the power and presence of God?

The very asking of these questions invites us to step into our power and to embrace our oneness with God.

Thomas Fuller wrote, “We are born crying, live complaining and die disappointed.” This is the sad truth for many who live lives limiting God. Resolve to know God's presence in your life and take steps to create the life you deserve.

In Unity we know the truth, that we are never victims; that whatever we experience is, indeed, our experience and we have the limitless resources of the Universe at our disposal to resolve and to grow through whatever challenges we face.

“Thank you, God.” “Thank you, God.” “Thank you, God.”
 

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Rev. Will Bowen is minister of One CommUnity Spiritual Center in Kansas City, Mo. To learn more about the complaint-free world campaign, click here.

Read more about Dr. Maya Angelou.

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