For over forty years my wife and I lived in a large Edwardian house. Up until several years ago the accommodation was shared with friends and relatives. Beginning in 1980, we became the sole occupants, however, and the burden of maintaining the fast-deteriorating fabric of the building and garden became intolerable. We applied to several housing associations for the elderly, and over eighteen months we were offered four tenancies, but for several reasons these were unsuitable for our needs.
The effect of all this disappointment resulted in my wife's health being threatened. She became extremely depressed and appeared to lose all interest in everything. She became fearful of facing the most simple of household tasks, could not face the shopping or caring for her appearance. All my efforts to console and encourage her seemed unavailing, and I became very anxious, despite my attempts to pray about the situation.
Then one night, when her symptoms became especially distressing and alarming, I lay awake and made a determined effort to "unsee" the picture being presented by the physical senses. As spiritual truths from the Bible and from the works of our beloved Leader, Mrs. Eddy, came to mind, the sense of anxiety and burden gradually melted into a confident assurance that all was in God's hands and that all was well.
