Article January 20, 1968 Issue

Joyous Parenthood

MARY TAYLOR FORD

If in the activities of parenthood burden or frustration eclipses joy, even momentarily, some erroneous suggestion has been allowed to enter consciousness. The situation can be adjusted through a scientific appreciation of the permanent harmony of God's creation.

Mrs. Eddy's definition of "children" clarifies one's concept of them, so establishing harmony. The first part, "The spiritual thoughts and representatives of Life, Truth, and Love,"^{Science and Health, p. 582;} presents the spiritual fact, which we should accept and steadfastly affirm. Equally necessary is it to be alert to reject the view not in accord with God's likeness. This Mrs. Eddy uncovers in the second part as "sensual and mortal beliefs; counterfeits of creation, whose better originals are God's thoughts, not in embryo, but in maturity; material suppositions of life, substance, and intelligence, opposed to the Science of being."

One common deterrent to the joy of parenthood is fear about the children's physical safety and general well-being. When one views children as immature mortals for whom one has personal responsibility, the prospect does seem frightening. Christian Silence shows the remedy to be a recognition of the spiritual fact that God, the Father-Mother, is the real and only parent of all. In His infinite, all-encompassing presence there can be no fear-producing element. Anyone who accepts and depends upon the omnipotence, omnipresence, and omniscience of God necessarily eliminates fear from his thinking and experience. Under every circumstance he is able to trust his children to the divine care of the Father.

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