“I am able to follow Jesus’ example and see them as they truly are…created by God…in His image and likeness.”

The conception of life as eternal...not limited by mortal sense... frees me to not have to accept the appearance or “evidence” to the material senses that I am “aging” and therefore unable to be ______ or do________.

This is helpful when I may “see” someone who appears older than I am or perhaps disabled or disfigured to the human senses.  I used to avoid eye contact out of fear, I guess, so as not to “see” the mortal picture before me.  But with this new understanding…this new view…this truth about God and man… now I make it a point to make eye contact, smile, and even say hello whenever I see someone who appears to be limited in some physical way.  I am able to follow Jesus’ example and see them as they truly are…created by God…in His image and likeness.    This has been an important healing step in my experience.

Holding this view has been (and will continue to be helpful) when confronted with any mortal arguments I may confront.  A recent visit with family members (who are Christian and regularly attend church, but are not Christian Scientists) brought to mind several arguments in the form of statements / questions.  

1.  My brother asked me in the form of a statement: "I wish you would go get your medical tests?  I am concerned about you."  My brother just had experienced surgery. Well, this was an opportunity for me to be compassionate about my brother's situation while expressing some of the following points: Of course, I said "Thank you.  I appreciate your concern.”  And went on to say, “I want you to know I am taking the right steps for me.  As you know I am choosing to rely on God for my needs.  As a Christian Scientist I am not against doctors...I just choose to rely more on God for healing as I have done for many years.  You know how important this is for me.  I hear your concern and know it is out of love for me!   But please know I am fine.”

This seemed to help clear the air at least until two more questions came up.

During a lunch with my brother and sister-in-law two questions were raised:
One from my brother
Q.  “What is the genesis of Christian Science?"

A.   I loved receiving this question and was grateful for the answer that followed: I was led to share a few truths from the Bible, what Christ Jesus did (healed) and asked us to do "Heal the sick...etc." (Matt. 10:8), and how Mary Baker Eddy discovered and shared this Science with mankind, and named it Christian Science.  These answers of course were all covered in Class.  I took the opportunity to share the Gen. 1 account of creation and how the story of Adam and Eve in Gen. 2 is an allegory about what happens to man when they do not follow God.

In listening to this conversation my sister-in-law jumped in.  She had a concerned look on her face as she shared something that was clearly troubling her.  She then shared about her friend whose two sons had died from drug overdoses in the past 12 months and added that her friend was in a dark place and not willing to listen to anything to do with God or religion.  So my sister-in-law asked me the second question: “What would you say to this friend?"

I paused, turned to God, and responded with what God had given me.  Here are some of the words that came out of my mouth:

“Before contacting her I would identify some of the qualities that the friend has that are important to you as a friend...the GOOD that she expresses.    

Then share these GOOD qualities with your friend and how you admire her for expressing these qualities.

And then tell her how important she is as a friend for expressing these qualities.

Tell her you look forward to seeing her soon and make plans to do so.”

It did not take long for me to express what God had given me.  And as my sister-in-law listened, I could see her countenance change from a look of deep concern to one of calm assurance that she had an answer to her question that would help her in this situation.  What a healing for all three of us to experience.

In thinking about this experience, it is for me an example of how “illimitable good” is ever present. This was not about me.  This was about what God was doing.  I was just there to be a good listener and a voice for what God was giving me.  I am confident that my sister-in-law now is ready to contact her friend.

In summary these experiences are proof:
•    I am standing on firm ground to counter aggressive suggestions of medical claims based on heredity...because God is my creator, my Father-Mother.   I am not limited by mortal or human opinion (as well intended as human opinion can appear to be).    
•    I have the knowledge, God-given wisdom and experience to explain Christian Science to anyone.  After all, I am a class-taught Christian Scientist and belong to an active, sharing Association.
•    I can share the truth about God's goodness without even talking about the Bible or MBE.  Why?   Because of what I know about God and man as written in Genesis 1.  And from the many accounts of turning to God for healing in the Bible including Christ Jesus that we study each week in the Bible Lesson.  And from the writings and publications of MBE.  And from our Association.