Four years of university, then postgraduate courses, followed by career, employer, and location changes—much of this in the midst of a pandemic—had culminated in our son’s precarious employment as a gig worker (an independent contractor who performs short-term or freelance jobs). My husband and I stood on the sidelines thinking, “Why is this happening?”
As I prayed about the situation, it helped me to think about how the Israelites must have felt during their Exodus. They forged ahead, armed with the promise of a land flowing with blessing and prosperity, yet they were met with scarcity and poverty, and often complained to Moses about their lack.
Our son was both the “poured out” and the “poured upon”—a blessing to the world and the receiver of Love’s blessing.
Then I was awakened to this promise from the Bible: “Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it” (Malachi 3:10).
I saw that our son was both the “poured out” and the “poured upon”—a wonderful blessing to the world and the receiver of Love’s blessing. As I yearned to understand what a blessing of this magnitude might look like, my prayers displaced the desire for a specific outcome.
Within three days, our son received 13 invitations for interviews, and he subsequently received five formal offers for permanent employment in his field. God had, indeed, poured out a blessing beyond what our son could possibly accept humanly. Spiritually, this outcome represented the blessing of infinite opportunity for our son to work and shine in God’s vineyard.
My prayers displaced the desire for a specific outcome.
So why the long struggle? The Bible says: “So God chose a different, longer path that led the community of His people through the desert toward the Red Sea. The Israelites marched out of the land of Egypt like an army ready for battle” (Exodus 13:18, The Voice).
When it feels like a long march through the desert as we strive to reach ever higher spiritual ground, our loving Father-Mother God is cultivating unselfishness, persistence, and patience in His child, and abundant blessings are assured.
A note from Catherine’s son: I have been employed for six months, and I have not forgotten the sequence of events that led to this new career. I am thankful for my mom and her deep understanding of Christian Science, which helped to turn what seemed to be a dead end into the beginning of a new chapter in my life. My current job requires patience, a cool head, and a prayerful approach at all times. I am grateful that, since finding my job, I am continuing to rely on Christian Science throughout my day.
