Kathy Proves God's Allness

[Of Special Interest to Children]

LUCILLE SPANGLER MICHENER

Today was very special for Kathy. She had looked forward to it for a long time, for this was the day the family had planned to visit a Christmas tree farm. Father had told her all about these farms where trees were grown in rows as far as one could see. There were pine, fir, and cypress in all shapes and sizes. People could go right into the woods, choose one, cut it down themselves, and take it home for Christmas.

In the kitchen her mother was packing sandwiches and cupcakes in the picnic basket, and her sister, Linda, was pouring lemonade into a large thermos.

"Why, Kathy," Mother said in surprise, "you're not dressed yet!"

"Moms, I don't think I can go. I don't feel well."

Mother sat down at the kitchen table and drew Kathy to her. "If you'd rather stay home, dear, we can go another time," she said. "Why don't you listen to God? He will tell you what you should do," she added.

Kathy thought for a moment. The First Commandment, which she had learned in the Christian Science Sunday School, came to her: "Thou shalt have no other gods before me" (Ex. 20:3). In Christian Science she had also learned that God is All and that God is good.

She reasoned that if she believed she could be sick, which certainly was not good, she was believing in other gods that could send thoughts of sickness. Since there is only one God, these thoughts must not be true; they must be false, or error, thoughts. God sends only good, or Christlike, thoughts to His children. She decided not to listen to error, but to listen instead to God.

"Moms, I think I will go," she said. "God is All, and error is nothing."

Mother gave her a hug. "I'm glad, honey, and we will all help you to know that God's love is all around His children, taking care of each one of them."

Riding along in the car, Kathy was tempted to believe again that she was sick. She wanted to lie down; but instead she looked out of the window at the pretty country they were passing. She saw chicken ranches, a turkey farm, and fields where sheep were grazing. She remembered that her Sunday School teacher had spoken of shepherds, who watch over their flocks, caring for them and keeping them from harm. God is like a shepherd. He watches over His children, loving them, taking care of them, and protecting them from all evil, or error. She knew that God was with her now, for He is everywhere.

Softly she sang to herself the first verse of the hymn "'Feed My Sheep"' by Mrs. Eddy (Christian Science Hymnal, No. 304):

Shepherd, show me how to go
O'er the hillside steep,
How to gather, how to sow,—
How to feed Thy sheep;
I will listen for Thy voice,
Lest my footsteps stray;
I will follow and rejoice
All the rugged way.

Soon they left the green fields behind and climbed into the mountains. The air smelled fresh and woodsy. When the car rounded a curve, Kathy saw the Christmas tree farm. Spread out over sloping mountains were rows and rows of Christmas trees. They drove up to the farmhouse where Father was given a saw and told that they could choose and cut down any tree they liked.

Once again Kathy felt sick, "I will not listen to error," she thought. "I am God's perfect child. God is All, and error is nothing."

She joined her father and mother and her sister, Linda. Together they walked up and down the long rows of trees. Then Kathy saw one that was just right.

The whole family admired it. "Yes," Mother said, "it is pretty."

"It's beautiful!" said Linda with a smile.

Kathy was feeling much better; and while Linda held the tree, she and her father cut it down. At home they would put it into a pail of water and keep it until Christmas. The whole family carried it back to the farmhouse and had a picnic under the trees.

On the way home the tree's pine fragrance filled the car. Kathy looked at the beautiful tree. How happy she was! She was glad she had listened to God.

"Oh, Moms," she cried, "I feel just fine! God is All!"

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The Denial of Error

December 21, 1963

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