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Like the disciples in the Bible, many of us may find it tempting, when discouraged, to go back to old ways of thinking and acting. And if we revert to those familiar ways, we may find we come up empty, as some of Christ Jesus’ disciples did after one long, fruitless night fishing near the end of their three years with him.

Over the years I have loved pondering the following verse from the Bible: “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning” ( James 1:17 ). This verse describes so beautifully God’s unchanging, eternal love, which is impartially poured over all His creation.

My husband and I purchased a ceramic tile while traveling as newlyweds in the Western United States and delighted in these lines from a poem inscribed on it: “Now you will feel no rain, as each will be a shelter for the other. ” Over the years, in our several homes, I have read that tile every day and am reminded how marriage is a protection and a blessing to both partners amid life’s many challenges.

The Bible tells us that God is Spirit and perfect and that man (everyone) is made in God’s image and likeness. Jesus said, “Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect” ( Matthew 5:48 ).

There was a time when I could not find a good job. I felt I knew exactly what the perfect job would be, but I was unable to get it.

As a Christian Science chaplain in the United States Army, I was in the country of Jordan, ministering to soldiers in my unit. Several asked if I would baptize them in the Jordan River, where the Bible says Jesus was baptized.

One summer, when a friend and I were taking a vacation together, it became clear that we had completely different views and goals—so different that things she said and did hurt and annoyed me. In retrospect these differences were trivial, as I no longer even remember what they were.

Gratitude overflows to my grandparents and an aunt who accepted Christian Science as their way of life soon after Mary Baker Eddy founded The Church of Christ, Scientist. My relatives were present when Mrs.

God keeps His promises! One such promise can be found in Psalms: “For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways” ( 91:11 ). The ninety-first Psalm has been a favorite of mine since I first read it many years ago, and I especially love the references to God’s protective care for us through His angels.

God’s love for His children is limitless; therefore, limitless possibilities are at hand for us to receive His blessings. That might seem hard to fathom during challenging times, but my husband and I had a lovely proof of God’s care and provision despite the restrictions imposed during the pandemic.