I grew up attending a Christian Science Sunday School and became a branch church member as an adult, turning to the teachings of Christian Science to guide me during tough times. This quote from Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy, which is on the wall of many Christian Science churches, was a source of inspiration for me: “Divine Love always has met and always will meet every human need” (p. 494).
What stood out most to me was the word “always.” This helped build a trust in God, divine Love, that gave me the courage to move with my eleven-year-old daughter from New York State to California, even though I didn’t have a job or permanent housing when we set out. (Friends who had moved to California invited us to stay with them temporarily.) My prayers and listening to God’s leading had made it clear that a complete change was necessary.
We left the last day of school in June 1962 and took a zigzag route visiting national parks and other interesting sites. Some friends were concerned when they heard we planned to stay in campgrounds. However, we always felt safe, and experienced only kindness. Other campers often invited us to join their family campfires, proving for me the truth of this verse from the Bible: “God setteth the solitary in families” (Psalms 68:6).
Near the end of our trip, however, my trust in God would be tested when we visited California’s Death Valley National Park. I hadn’t seen any warnings not to drive through the park in summer, so I attempted to do this. My car overheated. I pulled off onto the side of the road, feeling deeply concerned, as we didn’t have much water and the radio had reported the temperature to be over 120 degrees.
To stay calm, I acknowledged God’s ever-presence and omnipotence and turned to Psalm 121. Verse 8 reads, “The Lord shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.” Gratefully, my daughter wasn’t fearful, so we began to joyfully sing hymns from the Christian Science Hymnal, including one of my favorites, No. 148, which begins, “In heavenly Love abiding, / No change my heart shall fear” (Anna L. Waring).
Imagine our delight when shortly a young man in a pickup truck showed up! He was surprised to see us and said that people don’t usually visit the park in the summer. He generously proceeded to fill my radiator from several jugs of water he had in the back of his truck. I knew it was evidence of God’s care that in such a barren place as this desert, there could suddenly be an “oasis.”
I knew it was evidence of God’s care that in such a barren place as this desert, there could suddenly be an “oasis.”
We followed him to the park superintendent’s home, where the men hosed my car off and my daughter and I were treated to some delicious cold lemonade. This same young man not only led us safely out of the park but also took us to a shop to repair our car, and then showed us where we could find a motel room for the night. That night as I was praying, I thought about Psalm 91; and when I got to verse 11, “For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways,” I gratefully marveled that the young man in the truck was proof of God’s love for us. We arrived at my friends’ home safely on a Wednesday, and with grateful hearts attended the evening church testimony meeting with them.
The adventure of starting over in California was about to begin, and I knew God’s goodness would continue. Echoing the Bible, Science and Health promises, “Step by step will those who trust Him find that ‘God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble’ ” (p. 444). The next day I had several job interviews. That night I prayed with Proverbs 3:5, 6: “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” I trusted that God was in control of any job decisions and calmly went to sleep.
Trusting God definitely paid off. The next morning, I was offered a position to begin the following Monday, which I accepted. I listened to God for where to live and found a very nice apartment that fit my budget and my daughter’s needs. We spent the weekend settling into our new home. My friends were astonished at how quickly all of this came together. I was deeply grateful. Once again, divine Love had met our every need.
Since that time, I have moved several times, including between Northern and Southern California. Each move has been the result of my prayers for guidance, and then following through on what I heard from God, regardless of contrasting opinions from others. My moves have been harmonious and I have always been in my right place.
I am deeply grateful to Mrs. Eddy for discovering and sharing Christian Science—the Christianity Jesus fully demonstrated—and to God for His ever-present love.
