When my children were young it became necessary for me to support them. I wanted to use Christian Science in rearing them and found much inspiration in the Bible and in Mrs. Eddy's writings. Two Bible verses which were particularly helpful are these (Prov. 3:5, 6): "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths."
I also held to the truth of two passages from Science and Health by Mrs. Eddy. One reads (p. 454): "Love inspires, illumines, designates, and leads the way. Right motives give pinions to thought, and strength and freedom to speech and action." The other reads (p. 494) "Divine Love always has met and always will meet every human need."
I cannot include in this testimony a description of all the wonderful ways in which Truth has helped me; so I will mention the more important ones.
It became necessary for me to go to a welfare agency for aid. Arriving early in the morning, I awaited my turn. But it seemed that whenever it was time for my interview, something would delay it. After several hours of this, I realized that I had not been listening for the still small voice of Truth very attentively. I lifted my thought to God and then felt impelled to go home. I found that in my absence a telephone message had been taken informing me that every month a certain amount of money would be deposited in the bank for me until I was employed.
But wherever I went to apply for employment, I was told that my age was against me. And there were other reasons why I did not easily obtain a position, such as the fact that I had been out of the business world for so many years. With the aid of the Bible and Science and Health, I took each argument and studied to see its unreality in the light of the truth of God and of man in His spiritual image and likeness. At this time a way opened for me to take a refresher course in bookkeeping and typing. I was grateful for this opportunity, which meant one need was supplied.
Still it seemed there was no progress in solving the employment problem, and the time came when I felt I could not go on. I was discouraged, unhappy, depressed, and felt very much alone. At this time the thought came to me that God is man's true employer and that with God there can be no age problem. He is eternal and does not know time. Right then I stopped searching for employment, stopped reading Help Wanted advertisements, and started working for God, my real employer.
The next morning I went to a Christian Science Reading Room at eight thirty, read and studied until noon, returned at one o'clock, and continued until four.
When I arrived home at the end of the fourth day there was a telephone message asking me to come for an interview for a position in the exact line of work for which I had been trained. It was with a firm that I had not even thought of getting in touch with. I was hired at a salary that would cover our needs, and the hours were such that I could manage as mother and housekeeper as well.
The first part of Mrs. Eddy's definition of "children" was my constant guide in rearing my children. It reads (Science and Health, p. 582), "The spiritual thoughts and representatives of Life, Truth, and Love." My sons were protected in the Second World War in the Pacific theater. During the time they were away I held to these words of Jeremiah (31:16, 17): "Thus saith the Lord; Refrain thy voice from weeping, and thine eyes from tears: for thy work shall be rewarded, saith the Lord; and they shall come again from the land of the enemy. And there is hope in thine end, saith the Lord, that thy children shall come again to their own border."
Everything good unfolded for us in many ways, and we had a great deal of joy and peace in our home. My daughter was able to come back to live at home after three years away from me. This could not have happened if I had not left everything in God's hands, because I had no idea how to bring it about.
Class instruction was another wonderful experience that came to me at this time in an unexpected way. Again I had proof that God is man's guiding Father-Mother.
Christ Jesus, the great Exemplar, and Mrs. Eddy, our Leader, gave us all the way of Life. I am very grateful.— Minneapolis, Minnesota.
