Gratitude for our Hymns

Gratitude for our Christian Science hymnal is my starting point this year. Very often one or two lines from a hymn will help one’s thinking in trying to solve a problem or in looking for healing.

“This is the day the Lord hath made,

 Be glad, give thanks, rejoice.”

When I began to think first thing in the morning, “This is the Lord’s day,” I realised it can establish how that day will unfold. First of all it does away with all one’s preconceived ideas of what to do, and then asks, ‘Father, what would you have me to do?‘ The answer will always come and the day unfolds harmoniously. I don’t do this every day but when I do I find that it is a fruitful day.

“Day by day the manna fell,

O to learn this lesson well.”

This is a very powerful reminder that we have what we need every day - nothing brought forward from yesterday, and nothing expected tomorrow. The children of Israel had to learn this lesson in the wilderness. They had to learn that they would always have manna in the morning and quails in the evening - just sufficient for that day. This lesson helps us to drop human planning for our needs and to know that we always have what we need on any given day. Any thought that curbs human planning is always helpful.

When a close friend, and church colleague, passed on unexpectedly, I had a lovely healing of grief. In praying about the situation, Mrs Eddy’s words from “Mother’s Evening Prayer” came to me - “Loss is gain.” The loss was obvious, but what was the gain? As I searched, I realised that my friend was carrying on with her good work, and it was up to me to make this an opportunity to grow spiritually.

I have recently been asked to take on a number of church appointments which always give us the opportunity to grow spiritually, and I am very grateful.