It is with a heart full of gratitude that I share the experiences my husband and I have had in demonstrating God's protecting care and guidance when working out a more complete understanding of home as spiritual consciousness. Mrs. Eddy's statement in Science and Health (p. 254), "Pilgrim on earth, thy home is heaven; stranger, thou art the guest of God," has been most helpful to us.
Some years ago, while residing on the East Coast, we lived in an apartment which we felt we had outgrown. Something better, affording us a garden and outdoor living, seemed desirable, and we knew that our only true environment is the kingdom of heaven. Thirty days prior to the expiration of our lease we notified the landlord of our intention to vacate. Although we had no material home in view, we realized that God would direct us, and that we could trust Him step by step to be our refuge and strength. Two weeks before we were to move, the lower floor of a two-family house, which appeared to be exactly what we should enjoy, was advertised in the newspaper. Upon answering the advertisement we found the rent considerably more than we thought we could pay. Praying for guidance, we awakened one day to the realization that we were limiting ourselves by believing we could pay only so much rent. We were working for a greater sense of freedom on one hand and restricting ourselves on the other. We were humanly planning instead of allowing Principle, God, to govern our thought and action.
The advertisement which had sounded so good to us was still in the paper, and we arranged to inspect the place. It was just what we wanted, and we were ready to pay whatever was right. After the owner talked with us she offered to accept considerably less rent than originally asked. She said she felt we had something to give and wanted us to be the first tenants in her reconstructed lower floor. During our talk she asked whether we were Christian Scientists, and we were glad to reply in the affirmative. Although not a Scientist, she had many friends who were and recognized the joy and freedom Christian Scientists express. We enjoyed living in this home for over three years and never cease to be grateful to God for His goodness and to our Leader, Mrs. Eddy, for revealing the Christ, Truth, to mankind for daily use.
