A FICTION that we all need to confront is that there are challenges too complicated or too vast for us to understand, let alone heal. A lesson I learned years ago blessed me enormously when I was a Christian Scientist in business. And it still blesses me today in my business as a Christian Science practitioner.
During the mid-1980's, I worked in merchandising for an international company in Frankfurt, Germany, that sold giftware and china throughout Europe to US and NATO military bases. All purchases were made in US dollars. As events began to unfold, it was only my abiding love for God that kept me from leaving the company. I remember treasuring Mrs. Eddy's quotation from Science and Health about "business men and cultured scholars" (p. 128)—although at the time I didn't consider myself to be either.
At the time, the dollar saw a long, slow climb, hit a high in its exchange value, and then fell precipitously. In a 12-month period, we experienced a 40-percent increase in prices and expenses. Our company was then purchased by another corporation, and my immediate boss's position was eliminated. I was given his responsibilities for the financial side of the business, while retaining my merchandising role. Not only was I unprepared for these new duties, I never liked the financial aspect of business, considering myself more of a "creative" person. My interests had always been drawn to the fine arts, and I considered anything to do with money management as mind-numbingly boring.
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