"Remember, thou canst be brought into no condition, be it ever so severe, where Love has not been before thee and where its tender lesson is not awaiting thee. Therefore despair not nor murmur, for that which seeketh to save, to heal, and to deliver, will guide thee, if thou seekest this guidance."

These words by Mary Baker Eddy from pages 149 and 150 of "The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Miscellany" were read to a woman who seemed utterly overwhelmed by grief and despair. Her husband had passed on suddenly some time previously, leaving her alone and bewildered. Her children were grown up and away from the family home, and mortal mind was busily telling her that her usefulness was over, that opportunity for further service was ended, and that happiness and progress were beyond her reach.

The friend who read Mrs. Eddy's words to her gently pointed out that she must refuse to listen to mortal mind's doleful suggestions and arguments and listen instead for God's voice—for Love's leading and guidance. The beautiful words from Proverbs were quoted (3:5, 6): "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths."

The love which pervaded these statements of truth so comforted the widow that immediately her deep sense of grief was lifted. The icy barriers of depression and self-pity began to melt away, and the warmth of hope and faith in God's dear love and provision for each one of His children filled her heart with a peace which had long been absent. With the loving help and encouragement of her friend she began an earnest and thorough study of the Bible, together with the textbook of Christian Science, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," and other writings by Mrs. Eddy. As the truths contained in these books were discerned and assimilated, she realized and acknowledged that man in God's image and likeness can never be separated from his divine Principle, God, or good; that every idea in Mind has its own particular contribution to the perfect whole; and that therefore not one of God's ideas can be superfluous, unwanted, or useless.

On page 574 of Science and Health are these words: "The very circumstance, which your suffering sense deems wrathful and afflictive, Love can make an angel entertained unawares." The woman realized that these angels, or thoughts of God, were already ministering, supporting, and directing her, and that her part was to gain a better understanding of God, to trust Him with all her heart, to acknowledge Him in all her ways. As she continued to study methodically and to meditate on the truths she learned, courage and assurance began to replace the sense of futility and gloom which had for so long held her in bondage. She found herself taking an active part in the household tasks and eagerly doing the duties that came to hand each day.

As she became willing to let go of her selfish clinging to the past and to seek and accept God's guidance, the way opened for her to express greater activity and usefulness in a wider sphere than she had ever known before. She constantly held to Mrs. Eddy's words regarding God in "Unity of Good" (pp. 3, 4): "He has mercy upon us, and guides every event of our careers. He is near to them who adore Him." To adore God, she reasoned, is to honor and obey Him; to trust Him implicitly; to turn completely to Him when tyrannical mortal mind seems in a turmoil of fear and indecision; to realize more fully that God is Love, the only power, the only presence, and that perfect Love does cast out all fear, sorrow, and pain.

It was not very long before this woman found satisfying activity as a member of a branch Church of Christ, Scientist. Serving on various committees taught her many valuable lessons in co-operation and unselfishness. Class instruction from an authorized teacher was another high light in her progress heavenward. The spiritual illumination which resulted from this blessed experience was a vital factor in purifying and enriching her thought, thus enabling her to become a more useful and devoted member of the Christian Science organization.

Teaching in the Sunday School provided an opportunity to work with children and helped to fill the void in her heart which she felt was caused by the absence of her own family. Instructing and nurturing the budding thought of the little ones was a source of endless happiness and inspiration.

Serving as First Reader was another sacred privilege and brought her great spiritual growth and unfoldment. Soon she was busily engaged in the healing work and became a registered practitioner of Christian Science. Thus this woman found peace, happiness, and contentment in unselfed service. Laboring for others, she saw her own burdens fall away, and she was free, ready for the blessings that God has promised everyone who will but seek Him with a truly humble heart.

When we are willing to loose ourselves, as did this woman, from the binding and blinding fetters of self-pity, self-love, and selfish indulgence in grief, we shall awake to our true heritage of purposeful activity and joyous living. In Isaiah are these stirring words (54:2): "Enlarge the place of thy tent, and let them stretch forth the curtains of thine habitations: spare not, lengthen thy cords, and strengthen thy stakes." Enlarging our borders, we shall forget self and be ready to work for God and for the good of mankind. Stretching forth the curtains of our habitations, we shall look above and beyond the limited and limiting views of personal sense. As we lengthen our cords and strengthen our stakes, we shall stand more firmly for Principle when the chill winds of adversity blow. We shall cling more closely to God, with unflinching faith in divine Love, and we shall prove unfailingly that God directs every event of our career when we seek His guidance.