Real Rest

LUCY HAYS REYNOLDS

A young girl who had always been more or less frail, disliked very much to go shopping, and whenever the experience was necessary it seemed to tire her exceedingly, though out among the trees and flowers she could run and play for hours without the slightest sense of weariness. One day Christian Science came into this girl's life and healed her of many personal likes and dislikes as well as of physical ailments. In her new-found freedom she started forth joyously on a necessary shopping expedition; and, suddenly, the old aversion confronted her; everything seemed distasteful. The noise and confusion apparently smothered her sense of peace and a great sense of weariness came upon her. Then she paused a moment, and sought within for the ever present help. "Is not God as close to you in these busy marts as out in the silence of nature?" said the "still small voice"; and then, as softly as if sung by the angels, came the words of Whittier:

We touch Him in life's throng and press,
And we are whole again.

Peace and joy, and a new sense of love for all mankind flooded her consciousness, while aversion and weariness fled away. The crowded store that had seemed so dingy with commercialism now appeared illumined with a soft, glowing light. In that single moment the new vision was gained, and strength and vitality were won. It was not a physical condition but an aversion which had produced the fatigue, and a right idea, casting out the false sense, had brought instantaneous healing.

Fatigue is a mental experience and it is produced by mental conditions. Anxiety, irritation, confusion, excitement, ennui, are all qualities of mortal thought, which, being destructive in nature, produce fatigue far more than does the belief of physical exertion. The thrifty Marthas, troubled about many affairs, feel "worn out," not because of affairs, but because the cares of this world have deprived them of spiritual refreshment. The child whiningly cries, "I haven't anything to do," and becomes fretful and tired. Depression drags one down and resentment is always wearying. Self-will lashes its victims into such mad propulsion that they finally fall with exhaustion. So, too, envy: how worn and haggard it looks, until at length it languishes away.

On the other hand, who has not felt refreshed by a sudden betterment of thinking, a new incentive, a self-forgetful service? When despair has given place to hope; when fear has been destroyed, strength quickly revives, and we feel fresh and vigorous. The tranquility and calm of self-respecting thoughts undo the heavy burdens of mortal care. All who have surrendered to God's will speedily come under the law of peace and harmony. A kindly word, a tender look,—have they not often given rest to the weary? Sincerity, purity, fidelity, faith, and love are qualities of spiritualized thought which overflow with life-giving elements and impart strength and freedom to thought, and thus to the body. They constitute the wisdom and depth of character which are never lost in the vision of the infinite. "Goodness and benevolence," Mrs. Eddy says (Miscellany, p. 165), "never tire. They maintain themselves and others and never stop from exhaustion."

The highest rest is gained through righteous thinking, rather than through unconsciousness. In the calm and exalted peace of the Christ-mind, a heavenly tranquillity is born to every weary heart; angels of God, silently whispering the glory of ministering love, counteract and dissolve the tensions and emotions of the human mind, and tenderly bring rest. Humility, gently rebuking the pride of personal responsibility and assuring us that of our own selves we can do nothing, lifts the weariness of routine cares and gathers every willing, self-surrendering thought unto God—there to find rest. Then, at last, is recuperation from human thought gained, and we rest beside the still waters.

This spiritual repose is for all. If, amid pressing duties, we will but for a moment drop them and, lifting our eyes unto God, acknowledge His presence,—if we will listen for the Christ-idea,—then we shall become as care-free and unencumbered as little children. In daily labors, on the farm, at the machine, in the office, and in the home, thou shalt not be weary or heavy laden, for the ever present Christ shall give thee rest.

Nevertheless, there may be times when we need to withdraw temporarily from daily labors, for deeper spiritual refreshment. Once, when the disciples came to Jesus and "told him all things, both what they had done, and what they had taught," he said to them, "Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest a while: for there were many coming and going, and they had no leisure so much as to eat." The Master, himself, loved to withdraw to the mountains to pray. The retreat from the material to the spiritual recuperates us, and brings triumph over sickness and sin.

In life's rugged, uphill journey, amidst opposing, conflicting beliefs, hast thou become weary and footsore, yearning for rest and asking, "What is the use?" or, "Who cares?" Then, in unselfed, holy work thou wilt find true refreshment. Turning to God for rest, we may cast off the burdens that He never imposed; and whatever the human experiences, we can lay us down in the green pastures of Christian Science; we can, in the words of an old hymn, "rest beside the weary road, and hear the angels sing."

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