It's all about love

 If we ever feel overwhelmed, we might pause and consider the careers of Christ Jesus and his latter-day follower Mary Baker Eddy. They were busy people! But not overwhelmed. John's gospel tells us that "...there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which if they should be written every one, I  suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written" (John 21:25). That's quite a statement, considering that Jesus' ministry was only three short years. And yet, his poise and generosity of spirit to patiently heal and instruct were sublime.

Meanwhile, Mary Baker Eddy strove to follow the Master, Christ Jesus, as closely as she could. Eddy's student, Joseph Mann, writes that "It is not an exaggeration to say that without doubt, in her time, Mrs. Eddy was the busiest woman on earth. yet I recall an instance which illustrates the fact the Love is never too busy to be kind and considerate" (p. 150-151, We Knew Mary Baker Eddy, Vol. 2, Expanded Edn).

If we ever feel the weight of circumstances in our present situation, we can be encouraged by the example of others. For example, the advent of the "Next Friends" suit and how Mrs. Eddy addressed that difficult time is helpful. Julia Prescott recalls her part in the trial. She writes that "the lawyers were at Pleasant View [Mrs. Eddy's home at the time]" (p. 94). They wanted to know why she was there. After failing to deflect their questions, Prescott eventually replied: "Mrs. Eddy [told] me many years ago to love my enemies. Now she has called me here to teach me how to do it" (p. 95). 

Is every 'trial' a new opportunity to witness Love in action? Prescott details Mrs. Eddy's instructions to her workers during the court case. They were to "know that there was but one side, and that was the right side.  ... that no one could hurt us, nor be made to, and that we could not hurt anyone, nor be made to; that we could not hurt ourselves, nor be made to, for we all love and help each other, and God loves and helps us all" (p. 95).

Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures (p. 26: 30) explains that "His [the Master, Christ Jesus] proof of Christianity was no form or system of religion and worship, but Christian Science, working out the harmony of Life and Love." Our work is to be part of the "working out" team by letting Love shine through us.

Julie Swannell