A few years ago, I went to the Christian Science Reading Room during lunchtime to read the weekly Christian Science Bible Lesson and pray, as I often do. On my arrival there was a lady, who was not a student of Christian Science, listening to a CD. She introduced herself and proceeded to tell me all about her financial woes. We talked briefly, and I sat down to read the Lesson. I then heard a loud voice say to me to give her the $20. I only had $20 in my purse and was going to use it to buy lunch and then go back to work; I looked behind me and there was no one there, but yet I heard the command again.
I wrestled with the command and started this mental argument about why and how I couldn’t give a stranger who was not a beggar $20. Yes, she was complaining about not having enough money, but then neither did I. However, I knew I had to be obedient as it was clear that the instruction came from God. Who else knew that I only had $20 in my purse? So as I left the Reading Room, I walked up to the woman and joyously heard myself say, “This is for you,” and gave her the $20. She was elated and hugged me.
When I got back to work, there was a message on my desk from the human resources manager asking me to come and see her. I immediately thought to myself: “What a day—just gave away $20, no lunch, and now I’m about to lose my job.” In my mind I thought being called to the human resources manager’s office meant I was in some sort of trouble. With my heart pounding, I went downstairs. When I got to her office, the manager told me I had received a promotion that came with a $20,000 salary increase. To say I was shocked was an understatement. I immediately began to pray, say thank you to God, and also to apologize for the mental argument I’d had.
