The Christian Science Reading Room: A Safe Place To Ask, To Be, and To Know

By Karen Joyce Lloyd

11/15/2018

I never know who or what I’ll encounter when serving in the Reading Room. I’m always amazed by how God shows up at just the right time in the form of ideas and words, which come through when assisting Reading Room visitors in person and on the phone.

This week, while serving in our branch church Reading Room, I had been studying and reading aloud to myself the weekly Bible Lesson on “Mortals and Immortals.”

A man and woman who identified themselves as “houseless (not homeless)” came in, sat down, and immediately engaged me in conversation about a distressing situation.

The women expressed concern and anxiety about a male friend who she said had been repeatedly robbed by others. She did not understand why these thefts continued to happen to him, especially since her friend is a good and kind man, and always “turns the other cheek” without defending himself. She thought of her friend as stuck in his situation and not able to change it.

I shared my understanding that, whether or not I am conscious of my beliefs, what I believe creates my experiences because the choices I make are based on my beliefs. I suggested that even the thought of her friend being stuck is, in itself, a belief that is creating an experience. When beliefs change and are replaced with understanding, experiences change.

I asked her how she would answer her own question about why her friend continues to be robbed. She said, “I don’t know.” However, I saw this woman and her friend as intelligent, and told her so, because intelligence is always present and being expressed.

She repeated her question several more times, each time with the same perplexed tone of voice. I felt an escalation in the intensity of her concern.

I heard her need for protection and security.

I spontaneously replied, “Be still and know that I am God!”

She smiled, relaxed, and beamed, “that’s my favorite quote!”

Her companion then enthusiastically recounted the Bible story he loved of how Jesus slept soundly on the boat during the life-threatening tempest and, after being awakened, stilled the storm.

I asked the woman to look around the Reading Room at all of the books and magazines on the shelves. I said that the room was filled with answers to important questions like hers that many others had asked and written about. I invited her to come to the Reading Room any time it is open. She asked what hours it is open, and I pointed to the times posted on the front door and told her what they were.

I expressed that the Reading Room is a sanctuary and haven—a serene and safe place to be still and know God.

I thanked them both for coming in, and they thanked me for spending time listening and talking with them.

I am grateful for the ideas that come effortlessly when I take the time to engage in prayer, study and service in the Reading Room, one of my favorite places to be still and know God!