Having a baby and home to care for, I felt as some mothers feel—overwhelmed. My commonly spoken phrase was "I just can't get everything done!" And I then felt frustration, guilt, anxiety, pressure, and fatigue.
During this time I was studying the Manual of The Mother Church by Mary Baker Eddy, although not with the intention of solving this particular problem. One day as I read, Article XVII, Section 1, stood out to me. The Article is entitled "services uninterrupted," and the Section, "Continued Throughout the Year." It states: "The services of The Mother Church shall be continued twelve months each year.... A Christian Scientist is not fatigued by prayer, by reading the Scriptures or the Christian Science textbook. Amusement or idleness is weariness. Truth and Love rest the weary and heavy laden." I had read this By-Law many times, but had not realized what a healing effect it could have on my daily life.
That day I recognized that my routine had become entirely harmonized; I was able to take care of our baby boy and all of my household duties, and still find hours every day to study and pray. Furthermore, I no longer became drowsy when I studied for an extended length of time. I could read the Bible, Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, and Mrs. Eddy's other writings for hours, with intelligent attention and understanding.
