Following the end of World War II, John Wyndham returned to his family in Australia. His war experience had changed him and he writes that he "waited for some new idea" regarding his future employment (p. 74).
I love the three ideas that emerged, and which he grabbed with heart and soul and energy. This is what he tells us came to him:
1. "You will be happy only if you satisfy your inner craving for beauty" (ibid).
Acting on this, he set to work beautifying his surroundings in every way possible. At this point he comments that "It appears to be a law that if we improve what we have to the utmost, we inevitably rise to higher achievements" (p. 75).
2. "Whatever you do must bless others and beautify their lives" (ibid).
3. "You must do the thing you love to do most to be really successful" (ibid).
Following up vigorously on these ideas, he was soon led to a particular line of business where his understanding of Christian Science was to bless many others besides himself and his family. He titles Chapter five in his book: "Payday and ethics" and here he offers wonderful examples of urgent business needs being met in unexpected ways.
Here, Wyndham quotes a particularly helpful passage from the writings of Mary Baker Eddy (Miscellaneous Writings 1883-1896, p. 306):
The psalmist saith: 'He shall give His angels charge over thee.' God gives you His spiritual ideas, and in turn, they give you daily supplies. Never ask for to-morrow: it is enough that divine Love is an ever-present help; and if you wait, never doubting, you will have all you need every moment.
I am sure many others have read about John Wyndham's experiences (I offer myself as an example) and have been able to put the principles behind his reasoning into practice for themselves, so that countless others have been, and will continue to be, blessed.
Julie Swannell
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