Article March 29, 1941 Issue

"No loss can occur"

RUTH INGRAHAM

Two friends, exploring the home to which one of them had just moved, found in the garden a row of interesting looking plants of the lily type, with luxuriant leafage, presumably to be crowned later with beautiful flowers. The visitor was told that she should have some of them, but the promise was apparently forgotten. Sometimes the disappointed one thought regretfully of the flowers that might have been blooming in her garden, but for this oversight. Then the subject was dismissed, and months passed before it came again to thought. One day a casual reference brought to light the fact that the plants had proved to be a most undesirable variety, and had to be destroyed as soon as they bloomed, because of the noxious odor of their flowers.

In thinking of this incident, the writer saw the reason why some of our prayers to God appear to remain unanswered. It may not always be clear to us, at the time, why certain plans or wishes which seem innocent enough, and very desirable, fail of fulfillment. But a little patient waiting will often reveal to us a deliverance where we thought there was a deprivation, as in the case above cited.

St. Paul, in the eighth chapter of Romans, writes, "We know not what we should pray for as we ought;" and Mary Baker Eddy, author of the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," writes (p. 10), "Experience teaches us that we do not always receive the blessings we ask for in prayer." She continues: "That which we desire and for which we ask, it is not always best for us to receive. In this case infinite Love will not grant the request." A quiet, earnest study of the chapter on Prayer, from which the foregoing quotation is taken, will reveal what true prayer is. The mistaken motive, ofttimes unconsciously willful, will be uncovered and corrected through humble communion with God, and an earnest desire to do His will.

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