One Sunday morning I was called by the clerk of my branch church to be substitute Second Reader. It had been over fifteen years since I had read as a Second Reader, but I joyfully agreed to fill the need. I was so grateful that I could serve because Christian Science has blessed my life immeasurably. While getting ready for the service, I felt unprepared, but I reversed that thought with the fact that God, Truth, is always prepared; and as an idea of Truth, I reflect this preparedness. Then a By-Law from the Manual of The Mother Church by Mrs. Eddy, "Opportunity for Serving the Leader," came to mind (Art. XXII, Sect. 11). It made provision in Mrs. Eddy's day for members of the Church to serve in her household. The spirit of this By-Law came to me like this: Because members could be called to serve Mrs. Eddy for three years with very little notice, I could surely rise to the occasion to help Mrs. Eddy's Church for a one-hour service with only a few hours' notice. All that is required is a willing heart and a trust in God.
After the service, several members remarked that they thought the Lesson-Sermon was read with joy and inspiration.
