Of Good Report

I used to think family meant just my mother, father, and three sisters. My concept of family, however, has broadened over time.

In April 2007, I received a call from the First Sergeant of my US Army Military Police Company. He informed me that our unit had been alerted for possible deployment.

When circumstances call for it, one hires an attorney in order to be represented in an accurate and true light. In our day-to-day experience, we, too, want to be represented in a righteous way.

I was raised in a Christian Science family, and I learned that Christianity was practical and provable, as Christ Jesus taught and showed his followers. I felt as though I knew how to pray, but for a long time I believed the ability to heal was for better, more experienced Christian Scientists.

When I’ve been faced with challenges that appear to have no solution, I’ve often found the following Bible passage helpful, especially as it’s given in the Good News Translation: “What no one ever saw or heard, what no one ever thought could happen, is the very thing God prepared for those who love him” ( I Corinthians 2:9 ). That ability to see past a seemingly insoluble situation to God’s already-prepared resolution was something I demonstrated last year.

A few years ago, I volunteered to serve as president of the board of my neighborhood homeowners association (HOA). I sincerely desired to uphold the bylaws of the HOA, to do right by its members, and to bring new ideas to the table.

I traveled to Vietnam in January 2020, planning to teach English for a few months. However, shortly after I began teaching, the first coronavirus cases were reported and schools were closed.

Some time ago, the company where I worked was suddenly acquired by a rival. When new employees appeared, previously part of the competition, it felt like an invasion—as if we were being dominated.

This statement by Mary Baker Eddy in the Christian Science textbook has always been important to me: “Stand porter at the door of thought. Admitting only such conclusions as you wish realized in bodily results, you will control yourself harmoniously” ( Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, p.

I was introduced to Christian Science as an adult and immediately endeavored to embrace its teachings and way of life. At the same time, I frequently shared a work shift with a person I didn’t like.