Article February 18, 2013 Issue

Clearing 'hurdles' with God

Wallace Wethe

I was about to take the rigorous physical examination required for those seeking to become pilots in the United States Air Force. Although I had no experience as a pilot, I had met all the initial requirements. The last “hurdle,” so to speak, was the physical.

As part of a family of Christian Scientists, I knew the importance of prayerful mental preparation for any activity, and had given time to prayer on this “big day.” Our family had a favorite citation from Unity of Good by the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, Mary Baker Eddy. It reads, “… God is our helper. He pities us. He has mercy upon us, and guides every event of our careers” (pp. 3–4). I leaned on this thought with confidence.

When I was ready to leave, my dad, who had been a military pilot himself, smiled proudly, shook my hand, and wished me well. My mother hugged me and gave me some wise advice. She told me that on the way to this examination, I should prayerfully consider the very first examination given in the Bible, when “God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good” (Genesis 1:31).