For over thirty years the members of my family and I have been guided, healed, and blessed through an understanding of the truth as taught in Christian Science. During these years I have relied entirely on God for healing as revealed by this Science. Some healings in our family have been with the help of a Christian Science practitioner, and some have come through my own understanding of the truth of God and of man in His image and likeness.
One Sunday morning I was much inspired by a radio program in The Mother Church series, "The Bible Speaks to You." The program was entitled "Overcoming a Hostile Environment." Our place of business is in what is called a changing neighborhood, and many businesses have moved away. The radio program was of tremendous help to my husband and me. One thought especially was outstanding and stayed with us. It was that a hostile environment appears to be something outside of us over which we have no control, but actually our bodies and our experiences are simply the outward expression of our thoughts. Each day as I drove to our store, I did prayerful work for our neighborhood, knowing that all in it were perfect children of God and therefore expressed integrity, justice, and love. I prayed to understand more that only the good is real and only good would be attracted to us.
One day as a customer was starting to leave the store, the door opened. In walked a man whose appearance was uncouth and frightening. The customer turned and started to walk to the door, and after he had passed this man, he turned and motioned in such a manner that I could tell that he was seeing the same picture that I was and asking if I needed help and if I wanted him to stay. I found myself saying, "Thank you, and come back again." For a second I wished that I had asked him to remain, for at that instant I did feel very frightened. Almost immediately before I turned to the man, an angel message came, "There is nothing present but God and His idea." My fear was completely dispelled.
