Category: From Students and Guests

Restoration of a Friendship, & Healing at a Day-spa:

From Jan Lister

I have a wonderful friend who I adore. We’ve always had a deeply loving friendship. She told me that we have “knitted hearts” like David and Jonathan in the Bible. But we are very different, and over the years there have been misunderstandings, disagreements, and tears. Attempts on both sides to “fix it” have not worked. And so, ten years ago my friend turned away.

I was devastated at the loss of this friendship I so adore. I tried reaching out at least three times and was rebuffed. I could make no dent in that wall nor make progress. I went through many stages – self-justification, deep hurt, anger at myself and at her, anger at God, and then a phase of mourning this precious friendship. I had to bury it and come to terms with forward motion.

Of course I prayed through all these stages. It has taken every bit of the last ten years to work through this. Ultimately I got to the place where I chose to love. I determined that although I would probably never see this precious one again, I would love her. Deeply love her, no matter what. I chose love. The love was never ever touched during any of these phases. It simply was in place the entire time.

Even during my temper tantrums and attempts to heal by trying to cut it out and eliminate it from my life, I found it wasn’t mine to change in any way. It simply was. It’s been quite a journey of learning grace with God. I had to discover that God was my true Love, and find my center there. I found much peace there, and set down all my striving to find this friend.

During Christmas, 2015, another friend had a need that I knew this estranged friend could and would help with. So I made the connection for them to communicate. Afterwards, I sent an email to the estranged friend saying I loved her and would love to talk to her too someday. She responded immediately. We talked and cried and re-established our friendship, or rather, picked-up all the good right where we left off. It is as if no time (or hurt) had ever happened. Only the golden part of the friendship remained. The concept of restoration is a holy thing to me now.

We had our first opportunity to see each other and spend time together late August, 2016.

We were to meet in Portland, Oregon and make a day of driving through that beautiful country along the Columbia river and up to a day-spa. I was elated to see her, but resisted the spa idea because it’s not my thing. I recognized it was her way of doing something special and to have some relaxing fun. So I told her to just plan it and I would go. This entailed being wrapped like a mummy for awhile.

During the wrapping phase a lady came in, in deep distress. She told the technicians she couldn’t feel her arms or legs. They tried to attend to her but could not help her. They called an ambulance for her. She was right next to me. I knew I needed to pray as we are taught in Christian Science – knowing that this was a child of God, and that God was meeting her every need, right there. I got up and dressed and then asked a technician if I could go in and pray with her.

She was very scared. I held her hand and quietly spoke truths to her, affirming that God was right there, meeting her every need. I told her “God’s got you, baby, you’re OK, you’re safe right here, you’re under the wings of God’s great love for you.”

She wept and responded gratefully. I spent a few minutes with her. Another technician told me I had to leave. I told the lady I would be supporting her in prayer and knew that she would walk out of there. I went outside to find a quiet place to pray.

My friend came out and gave me her room. I know she was praying too – although not a Christian Scientist, she is a deeply Christian woman. The ambulance came. We completed our prayers and went on our way.

Once in the car together, we both realized that we were there for a higher purpose. I realized that had I been selfish, I would have fussed at my friend about going to spa (I almost did this) and then would not have been in that place I needed to be.

She recognized that we needed to be there and was not happy with herself, because at first she was miffed at the lady for ruining her mojo at the spa. But she realized she needed to lift that higher and eventually did pray. She was grateful that I went over and prayed with the lady.

We both realized that a healing had taken place. Although we didn’t get to see the fruition of it, we knew it was a healing. We both rejoiced. We went on to continue our lovely and precious time together – deeply connected and loving every bit of it.

And the theme of God’s great goodness ran throughout this experience in so many ways. There isn’t time to list it all. Gratitude to God seems too small – but it is the best I know how to express my deeply grateful heart for all of this. God Rocks!

A prayer (petition) for peace

From  Duffy.

Upon waking each morning, I say hello to God and thank Him for the good that will come today, for His love, care, protection and provision for myself, my family, and all of His children. Yet often, not that much later in the day, I find myself thinking – what is going on in this world we live in; being barraged by stories of violence, abuse, countries fighting and lack of homes, food or safety.

My prayer…
Please, Father Mother God, show me how to pray, to be effective and confident in my prayer. I am so grateful to have you to turn to. I am so grateful for the knowledge of your love for all your children on earth. Let me see good and only good. Let me feel your presence moment by moment. I am sure of God as all, so nothing else can penetrate my thinking.

By knowing God’s allness, I am protected from aggressive mental suggestions. Please let me stay connected to you, Father Mother God, every minute. Help me to love everyone without judgment: to see each human being as your child regardless of ethnicity, religion, politics, race. Make my love so big that politicians, terrorists, foes, friends and family are all included, encompassed by my love, a love that is pure and boundless. Make my love so big that I lose all fear. Thank you, Father Mother God.

If each one of us did what we knew to be divinely, innately right, moral, loving, ethical, there would be no war, violence, homelessness, or poverty. As human beings who loved integrity, truth, doing right, — being moved by love for our neighbors – we would all be living and working together in God, Mind, Principle.

“The way to extract error from mortal mind is to pour in truth through flood-tides of Love.” (S&H 201:7) Flood this universe with love, with knowing man’s perfection. Cherish our unique, individual selves as reflections of the one Perfect God. Loving our neighbor is never wrong or cumbersome. Our opportunities to share love are our opportunities to share God, Spirit. Sharing God will always be right and a joy. Our love must include all people, everywhere!

I want to see myself be brave. Brave enough to live the Christ; knowing the blessing it will bring. Being inspired on a daily basis by Jesus’ life and work, Mary Baker Eddy’s life and work, the Bible, can only bring spiritual advancement to our thought and a closer relationship to God, Truth.

Thank you for the reminder, Pam, to pray daily for myself and the world.

Sitting in the car in the carwash

From Mary Ann
Recently, I stopped at an old-fashioned car wash, the kind where you sit in the car and the washing mechanism goes back and forth on the sides and over the top to clean. When it started, I felt like I was moving. It was such a strong sensation, I almost put on the brake but didn’t because I knew my car wasn’t really moving. It was just an optical illusion.

It struck me that this is a good illustration of what error does–it creates a convincing illusion of reality when, in fact, Truth is real and we are always safely in the divine presence. Just as I was safe, dry and comfortable inside my car as the machine crested a veritable storm outside, we are always protected.

A Prayer for the Christian Science Reading Room

Hi Pam, Here is the inspiration that came to me last week when I was praying about our upcoming open house at the Reading Room. Love from Dyan Wingard

 

It is a public sacred refuge to commune quietly with God. The place where the Pastor is joined together as one infinite whole.

No judgments, no exclusive rights–honesty, integrity, and peace seal the walls of its structure. Healing and joy are its windows and door. No one can resist the natural attraction to come inside and explore.

As doorkeepers, our job is to watch and pray. On duty in support of Mary Baker Eddy’s discovery, and to campaign on the side of Truth.

Clarity and precision guide our words and acts of kindness to all who seek the gift of salvation. We stand as witnesses for freedom.

The perpetual movement of Life  interwoven, intersecting our dreams, hopes, and desires, as we each sit humbly at the foot of the throne listening to His prayer for all:

“Go, take the little open book
From out the angel’s hand;
The word of Truth is there for all
To read and understand.”

-Christian Science Hymnal – Hymn 74

Artichokes & Illusions

Sent by Jan

In my front garden I have several artichoke plants and due to the generous rains this year the plants are full of artichokes. One plant in particular was overflowing with artichokes and I had been happily making plans on what I was going to do with them. I thought I might make an artichoke lasagna with some of them and then maybe bring some of the overflow to church for members to take home. It was fun to have such a bumper crop to work with.

A few days ago I looked once again at the big overflowing artichoke plant and decided I would harvest the plant in the afternoon. When I returned home that afternoon from running errands, I found that the plant was void of all artichokes! I couldn’t believe it! Someone had come along and taken all of them. Not one was left. I was not happy. As I stood there surveying the empty artichoke plant, a few neighbors came over. I told them what happened and all three of us grumbled about how folks just help themselves to other people’s things. One neighbor suggested that she knew who had taken the artichokes because she had seen a neighbor taking flowers out of another neighbor’s garden and how that just wasn’t right. We parted not feeling very good about our neighborhood.

Fast forward a few days when I was once again tinkering in my garden which was quite over-grown. I was busily weeding and cutting down bushes to a manageable size when I could better see the artichoke plant. Lo and behold –  all the artichokes were still there! The plant had become so top heavy from the weight of the artichokes and the loaded branch had fallen over into the weeds and was hidden from view. Was I surprised! You bet. And chagrined (I had done all that complaining with the neighbors!). Nothing had been taken from me. All was intact. It was an illusion! I thought about how many times I have been taken in by something that wasn’t true – by an illusion. That is error’s sneaky way of trying to get us to buy-in to an illusion. All it needs to do is to get us to believe it – and that becomes our reality. But like the artichokes – it never happened, it isn’t real. This has been a great lesson to me to be more vigilant, to look more closely and not be fooled into believing a lie. I will also make sure to share with my neighbors that all is well, nothing ever happened. I’m sure we’ll all have a good laugh about it.

A healing

By Cindy

One of the more difficult, but ultimately most growing experiences in healing I have had, taught me how to take a stand for Truth, to trust God with everything I am, and not bow to pressure.

When I was pregnant with my second child, my father-in-law faced a difficult diagnosis that played around in my thought for a while. I wondered if, in a similar situation, I would be able to stand for the truth, or would I decide that I needed to have some other kind of help? Did I know enough, or trust God enough, to put my life in God’s care? As it turned out, I had to answer that question much sooner than I had thought.

Home births were not allowed at the time where we lived, and when we had to go to the hospital, the doctor declared that I was severely anemic and that the baby could have a severe infection if we did not have a blood transfusion at once, and then have a c-section delivery. He said I would most likely die during delivery and the baby could develop brain damage. He said I was “critical.” Here it was. Life or death. Whoa.

My thought wandered all over at first, from sheer panic about the prognosis, to anger that I had been a good person and did not deserve this, to wondering if I knew enough to trust God. I knew that panic, anger and doubt were not coming from God, and when I was able to be still and shut out those thoughts, I felt a calm come over me. That sense of calm and peace was from God. I could trust that.

However, what were we to do? The options seemed to be to follow the medical advice and we would “probably” be ok; or not follow the advice and die. Or, were those the only options? The more deeply still and quiet I got, the more I felt at peace. Slowly, insistently, the thought came, “Go home.”

Being obedient to that thought took tremendous trust. The doctor angrily informed me that the decision to go home was reckless and stupid. I signed an “against medical advise” waver to get out of the hospital and went home.

Being at home made it easier to keep listening, trusting, and loving. In that sweet listening time, the upset, fear, and anger were replaced by calm, trust, and an understanding that Life is God, divine Love, who is always caring for Her children.

The Bible Lesson that week told the story of Abraham being willing to sacrifice Isaac to God, and this showed me that I could trust my baby to God. God didn’t require death as a sacrifice, because God knows only Life. A steady, strong conviction that God is All filled me with gratitude.

When the labor began in earnest, I returned to the hospital, which was required by law. I knew I couldn’t be hurt by being obedient to God. This time, I felt a deep peace that all was well, and when the nurse examining me declared that the labor had not progressed at all, I knew then that God delivered this baby and time was not a factor. Within ten minutes, my daughter arrived safely. Both she and I were perfect, to the amazement of the doctor and nurses.

What had changed? Did the anemia and infection get corrected? No. Nothing had changed. My listening to God revealed the constant steady perfection of God’s creation, completely untouched by evil, human theories, or predictions, including death.

Did I answer the question in my heart? Did I know enough, or trust God enough, to put my life in God’s care? I found that I didn’t need to answer the question because there is no death question for anyone. My daughter and I fully experienced Life. And I still rejoice in that experience. I see now that everyone always has the Christ light to uplift consciousness and see reality. How very grateful I am to have had this lesson.

 

 

 

“I knew my leg was fine.”

I’ve recently moved to a new apartment that is on the fourth floor of the building. Since I spend quite a bit of time sitting, I usually walk the stairs rather than use the elevator.

After having driven for 18 hours over the weekend, I was suffering from a claim of pain and weakness in my leg. So much so, that taking a forward step would cause the leg to begin to buckle. I found myself seeking the optimum position to be able to stand and walk.

Tuesday evening I had come home and decided I was taking the stairs anyway. I had been concentrating lately on the “Scientific Statement of Being,”* and when I reached the fourth floor the thought (a still small voice) came to me and said, “Without Truth you don’t have a leg to stand on.”

I continued to work with the Scientific Statement of Being that night and when I woke up, before even opening my eyes, I knew my leg was fine. And, I have been claim free ever since.

With much gratitude,

Gene M.

Science and Health, p. 468

Snuggled in the pocket of divine Love

Snuggled in the pocket of divine Love
Safe
Free
Matter is gone

Enveloped in calm, quiet stillness
So pure
Innocent
Whole and complete

Content in knowing the power of God
Surrounded
Cocooned
All wrapped up

Where divine Love overcomes all
Any fear of evil,
disease, poverty,
personality

God all around me constantly
Infinite
Unlimited
Timeless

I’m clear and able to trust
Snuggled in the pocket of divine Love.

Sent with love from Duffy

 

Don’t take the bait! Part Two

I was recently invited to visit the parents of a close friend and was warned that the father liked to engage in political argument. During the visit, an opportunity arose for him to comment on politics and he seized it. I smiled and sipped my coffee. He segued to another political issue, and I smiled again as I munched on cheese and crackers. The conversation then turned calmly to upcoming travel plans and the visit went beautifully.

I have noticed that people are more agitated than usual about the upcoming presidential election. Each side harbors intense dislike for the candidates of the other side and the media fuels the fire.

Although I grew up in a very political family, I have learned to avoid heated political discussions as they are uncomfortable, non-productive, and can even ruin friendships.

In telling a friend about it later, I explained that I didn’t “take the bait” of engaging in a political discussion that could become uncomfortable.

I also pointed out that whoever gets elected, all will not be lost. People do not need to threaten to leave the country. Sanity will prevail. Perhaps, as healers, we can help people remain calm on this issue. This friend pointed out two additional thoughts which can help us retain a right perspective and bring healing to those who are concerned.

First, as Mary Bkaer Eddy explains in her autobiography, we can care as Jesus did. We are told that he ministered to the spiritual needs “of all who placed themselves under his care, always leading them into the divine order, under the sway of his own perfect understanding. His power over others was spiritual, not corporeal.” *

Secondly,  she encouraged, “It is safe to leave with God the government of man. He appoints and He anoints His Truth-bearers, and God is their sure defense and refuge.” **

Finally, we can also turn to our wise Christian Science pamphlet, “God Governs”.

Respectfully submitted,
Jennifer

*Reteospection and Introspection, by Mary Baker Eddy  p. 91

**ibid., p. 90

 

 

Thoughts on a walk

Picture Cindy, when this came to her, walking her dogs on the beach at Lake Tahoe near where they live, happily, together.

Today I promise,
I will listen for God’s message.
But then….
I need
I want
I should
I can’t
I won’t!

Hush, be still. Calm thought.

In the sweet stillness, I find
A quiet assurance,
A peace within,
An absolute knowing
dawns,~
It was never I, but always
I, or Us, one Mind,
Forever governing me and mine and all.*

*Scuence and Health p. 588