A spiritual foundation for providing care

It was a cold, drizzly autumn day. We live down an obscure driveway, up a long hill, way up in the woods. So it was unusual when an unexpected car drove all the way up to the house. When I looked out, there was a disheveled-looking woman standing on our front step with a dog on a leash. I hesitated opening the door, a bit wary of this seeming intrusion on this quiet afternoon. But I peeked out and greeted her.

The woman sat down on the woodpile outside the front door. She had been driving around our little town looking for a home for her dog, as she was moving and the dog couldn’t go with her. Would we please take the dog? She started crying, and I realized she was inebriated.

I prayed to express God’s lovingkindness for His children.

It was tempting to feel repelled by the human picture, and my first thought was, “Just tell her ‘no’ and send her on her way.” But I reached out to God for guidance and suddenly felt a great sense of compassion and a complete openness and willingness to express loving care; so I patiently listened to the woman’s story. As I prayerfully considered the wisdom of inviting a stranger into my home, I felt a spiritual intuition to do so in this particular instance. The woman tied the dog to a tree and came inside.

She was now my guest, and I prayed to express God’s lovingkindness for His children. The thought came, “Pour in love—use the best ingredients.” I made the woman a cup of hot chocolate, shared a coveted box of homemade toffee just sent to us by a friend, and helped clean a small cut on her foot. As I continued to listen to this woman, I quietly prayed. I knew that no matter what the material picture was that was being presented, God’s ideas are all included in divine Love.

It did not seem right for the woman to get behind the wheel until she was mentally clearer, so we continued to sit and talk. I assured her that God cares for all His creations and there would be an answer, but I couldn’t take the dog. As we continued to visit, she became calmer and more lucid. By the time she and her dog went on their way, she had given me her phone number—I’d thought of some neighbors who might be able to help and said I’d get back to her.

I’ve thought about the significance of this experience a lot. What came to me afterward was this statement of Mary Baker Eddy’s: “Pilgrim on earth, thy home is heaven; stranger, thou art the guest of God” (Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, p. 254). I also thought of this familiar verse from the Christian Science Hymnal:

As I thought more deeply about my experience and these truths, I realized that there is a promise in these passages that addressed both me and the other woman. Both giver and receiver are included in God’s protective, supportive love. “Home and heaven are within” all of us; all of God’s ideas are “cared for, watched over, beloved and protected.” Not only was my guest receiving God’s loving care, but I was also being supported and protected during this experience. It was a wonderful realization, and gave me insight into the reciprocal blessing that occurs when we obey the divine rule of loving our neighbor.

Truly, this spiritual foundation is the strongest basis from which to provide care, and as a Christian Science nurse, I particularly cherished this insight. In fulfilling the Golden Rule, Christ Jesus’ command that “all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them” (Matthew 7:12), we are supported by divine Love. 

Both giver and receiver are included in God’s protective, supportive love.

This whole experience helped me learn more about the infinite, all-encompassing divine Love, which is God. Love impelled me to step out of my self-oriented “comfort zone” and respond to this woman lovingly and compassionately rather than turn her away. And in doing so, I didn’t feel taken advantage of or depleted. I was simply obeying God’s law and listening for His guidance, which is our loving duty to our ever-caring Father-Mother.

A few days later, I bumped into my neighbors in town, and they said they would be happy to meet the woman’s dog. They gave me their phone number to share with my visitor. When I called her with the information, she was amazed. She said she’d never expected me to really help her out! She thanked me again. Though I don’t know what ultimately became of the woman and her dog, I do believe that all who were involved in this experience had to have been blessed, as I was.

We can reach out to lovingly and compassionately assist our fellow man without fear or penalty as we turn to God in doing so. Mrs. Eddy writes, “Millions of unprejudiced minds—simple seekers for Truth, weary wanderers, athirst in the desert—are waiting and watching for rest and drink. Give them a cup of cold water in Christ’s name, and never fear the consequences” (Science and Health, p. 570). When we are obedient to this demand, responding with compassion and kindness, we are protected and supported by God, Love—all the way!