I had been spending a lot of time in preparation for the annual meeting of the Christian Science students’ association where I am a member, and was cherishing fresh insights about man’s oneness with his source—God, infinite good. I wanted to keep these ideas close to me, and in my enthusiasm, I decided to take a copy of Mary Baker Eddy’s Prose Works (a compilation of most of her published writings on Christian Science other than her primary work, Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures) to my place of employment. I intended to study it during my lunch hour.
I work at an elementary school, and one day, without asking, I borrowed a teaching colleague’s highlighter from his desk to highlight passages in the book. After my lunch break, when I returned the highlighter to my colleague and thanked him for the loan, he asked what I had been highlighting. I quickly tried to circumvent any discussion and told him it was just a book I was reading. “What kind of book?” he queried. Frankly, I felt sheepish about disclosing what I was reading, preferring to keep my light safely hidden under a bushel. But then the words just tumbled out of my mouth: “It’s a book about spiritual healing.”
I thought that would be enough to satisfy his curiosity and forestall further conversation, and that I could now hide the book safely back in my bag. But he was not about to let the conversation end. “I am very interested in spiritual healing!” he said. “Can I please see your book?”
I felt sheepish about disclosing what I was reading, preferring to keep my light safely hidden under a bushel.
The copy of Prose Works was from 1925. The cover was weathered, brown, and plain, and it looked less than inviting. Somewhat embarrassed, I reluctantly handed the book to my colleague. Seeing past the cover, he was totally fascinated. “Does this have a scriptural basis?” he asked. I told him that all the ideas in it are Bible-based, and that Prose Works is actually a collection of many books about spiritual healing. He was riveted.
Seeing an open door to share Christian Science, I told him that there was another, more definitive book about spiritual healing written by the same author. Then, remembering that I had a brand-new copy of Science and Health in my car, I offered it to him. I told him that this book explains how Jesus healed the sick and raised the dead. I felt like one of the early disciples spreading the gospel to the world. The exchange felt natural and beautiful.
Within hours of my sharing this cup of cold water with a thirsty seeker, a family member I had been estranged from for more than seven years reached out to me by email. I was able to invite her to my home the following weekend for dinner.
Remembering that I had a brand-new copy of Science and Health in my car, I offered it to him.
It is clear to me that these opportunities were the outcome of my prayer and study about our oneness with God. Correctly identifying man as the reflection of God helps us see the true nature of ourselves and others as spiritual and responsive to the good ideas God is always communicating to man. It removes whatever false labels we might have attached to someone as being spiritually unreceptive.
As Eddy writes, “Forget self in laboring for mankind; then will you woo the weary wanderer to your door, win the pilgrim and stranger to your church, and find access to the heart of humanity” (Miscellaneous Writings 1883–1896, p. 155). When we love the ideas that God is constantly imparting to us, those in need will gravitate to our doorsteps, and we in turn will find ourselves transformed in the process. I am grateful to have proved even a speck of this truth.
