Spiritual Short

I parked in a large parking lot at a shopping mall and began walking to the bookstore. I passed some teenage boys on skateboards, and one of them crashed into me and almost knocked me over.

It is a privilege and responsibility of all mature Christians, and even of children, to do their best to act as Christ Jesus did—to do what he showed us to do by precept and example, which includes healing. As Mary Baker Eddy writes, “It is possible,—yea, it is the duty and privilege of every child, man, and woman,—to follow in some degree the example of the Master by the demonstration of Truth and Life, of health and holiness” ( Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, p.

In our church, there is a tall wall with several windows high up. One day, I happened to glance up at one of the small square windows.

We use passwords to protect our computers, cellphones, and online accounts. We do this because, of course, we don’t want anything or anyone to access and corrupt our important personal information.

On a summer vacation, I was feeling especially proud and assured as my motorcycle galloped the sinuous blacktop in the hills of Northern California. I put the bike on cruise control, and was feeling invincible and on top of the world.

I love giving away flowering bulbs to my friends during the winter months. Last year, I tried to think spiritually about these flowering bulbs, to look beyond their promise of material beauty to something more substantial.

When I hurt myself as a child, often scraping my elbow or knee as I learned to roller skate, I would tearfully go to my mom or dad for comfort. I remember them giving me a gentle kiss, and it helped me calm down and feel safe and well.

One day, after hearing more news about disagreement and impasse in negotiations between countries and leaders, I finally asked myself, “What’s needed here? What can I do to help bring unity and agreement to these meetings?” The answer came, “What’s needed is spiritual mediation right where there seems to be confrontation. ” But what is spiritual mediation? I knew that it didn’t have to do with believing in spirits, or anything otherworldly.

“Something there is that doesn’t love a wall,” wrote Robert Frost in his poem “Mending Wall. ” And I certainly shared that sentiment the other day as I thought about the walls of separation that seem to sprout up in so many ways—between family members, political and cultural groups, communities, and nations.

Leaving the pool after a Saturday morning swim got me thinking about weight. People of all shapes and sizes had enjoyed a swim that morning.