I would like to share an experience that I had while on vacation. I was on a beach in the northern part of my country where there is a lot of entertainment for children and families. People often surf, bodyboard, and play other water sports by the shore.
While my family and friends and I were enjoying the sea one sunny day, the idea came to me that, in actuality, all is really the manifestation of God. This idea comes from “the scientific statement of being,” which can be found in the Christian Science textbook by Mary Baker Eddy. It states in part, “All is infinite Mind and its infinite manifestation, for God is All-in-all” (Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, p. 468).
I was in awe as I thought about this. I loved thinking about the sea, the sky, and each individual in a spiritual way—as the divine manifestation of God. I also recalled the definition of Christ that can be found in the Glossary of Science and Health on page 583: “The divine manifestation of God, which comes to the flesh to destroy incarnate error.” These thoughts gave me a sense of wonder as I bodyboarded in the waves.
Suddenly, I heard a child crying out for help. I turned around and saw that a friend’s son, who was about eleven years old, was in deep water with his bodyboard and the current was carrying him away. He was so frightened and I did not hesitate to go to him. The ocean current took me where he was.
While I was next to him, I told him to stay calm and not to worry. However, when I looked at the shore, my husband was a speck and I could barely see my son. My stomach tightened. I thought I mustn’t be afraid, because I had to calm the child. At the same time, it sounded like a voice was telling me, “Claudia, remember what you were thinking before.” That’s when I remembered that “all is infinite Mind and its infinite manifestation.” I recognized this as an angel message—a thought from God (see Science and Health, p. 581). My fear dissolved, and we tried to get on our boards to catch a wave back to shore.
More than once, though, the waves did not carry us back. Instead, they washed over us and we somersaulted underwater. Seeing that we were still very far from the shore, my friend’s son began to shout again for help. I raised my arm so that those on the beach might better see that we needed help. It appeared that we had gotten the attention of those on shore, but there were no lifeguards on this beach, and bystanders who saw us did not know what to do.
I took a deep breath. While I instructed the child to stay with me, I mentally affirmed that all is really the manifestation of God. That’s when, without much effort, the current guided us to the other side of the beach. We stayed together the whole time.
As we neared the shore, those who had seen this situation began to approach. Everyone was very happy and thankful we had been able to get out unharmed. I feel that what sustained us and those who were watching were God’s angels, His healing thoughts. My husband had been praying and knew that God was going to get us out of there. Through his prayer, my husband was also able to calm down our son a little.
This wasn’t the end of the experience, however. Two days later, some friends finished using some surfboards for children. My daughter wanted to try practicing with me, so she practiced standing on the board, while I stayed on my stomach and just used the board I had to have the waves carry me to the shore like a bodyboard.
Given my recent experience, I was very careful not to let the current sweep us away and to stay on the side of the beach where we had been told there was no current. Seeing that my daughter was taking the small waves so well, I decided to do the same. I placed myself face down on the board, but I was caught off guard and in a matter of seconds a current began to carry me away from shore.
I tried to get out of the current, but never tried to stand up and ride a wave in because I didn’t know how to surf. I resisted the idea that the current would take me again. I began to swim very hard and fast to where my daughter was, but I got very tired and the waves did not get me out of the current. I was looking at everyone on the shore very far away and started signaling with my arm. My husband realized that I was asking for help.
I swam so hard to try to get out, but the waves swept over me. I flipped over underwater and began shouting, “Get me out of here!” This time, my thinking was not as clear as the other day, and all I could do was listen to an inner voice telling me, “Get on the board and place yourself perpendicular to the wave.” As soon as I obeyed and did that, I calmed down and a big wave took me to shore. I was so grateful.
I give thanks to Mrs. Eddy, who shared with us this wonderful Science so that we may put it into practice every day. I now realize the importance of always relying on God. There are times when difficult situations arise and take us by surprise, but we can see the solution and God’s protection when thought is focused on spiritual reality. We can always turn to God, who is “our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble” (Psalms 46:1).
I feel a deep joy and gratitude to our Father-Mother God for His angel thoughts that lovingly care for us at all times.
Claudia Honorato
Santiago, Chile
