Article January 4, 1969 ISSUE

Lucy Finds a Refuge

[For children]

BARBARA JUERGENS FOX

Lucy was doing her Christian Science Sunday School homework. She was learning these words from the Bible: "The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms." Deut. 33:27 ;

Lucy turned to her mother. "What does 'refuge' mean?" she asked.

And then quickly, before her mother could answer, Lucy said: "Oh, I know. A refuge is a safe place. Remember when we went to the City of Refuge?"

Lucy and her father and mother had taken a vacation on the Big Island of Hawaii. They visited a national historical park at a place called the City of Refuge. Many, many years ago the Hawaiian people had a custom that anyone who ran into the City of Refuge was safe from his enemies.

Lucy had thought that cities were noisy places full of tall buildings and lots of cars and people. But this Hawaiian City of Refuge was a lovely quiet place on the shores of a little bay. There were palm trees and sandy paths. Lucy could see where there used to be an old temple in the City of Refuge. Long ago the people who went there for safety prayed to their god and helped in the temple. When they left, they felt that they would be protected by this god.

But as Christian Scientists, Lucy and her mother knew that man really does not have to go to a special place to be safe. The true God, divine Love, is everywhere. He always has been and always will be. So, since God is man's refuge, safety in Love is everywhere. Christ Jesus proved he was safe wherever he was. And Mrs. Eddy writes, "Understanding the control which Love held over all, Daniel felt safe in the lions' den, and Paul proved the viper to be harmless." Science and Health, p. 514 ;

Soon after this experience Lucy woke up one night with a very sore throat. She thought: "I'll go into my mother's room and crawl into bed with her. She'll put her arms around me, and I'll feel better."

But it was very late at night, and Lucy decided not to bother her mother. "God is my refuge," she said to herself, thinking about the Bible words she had learned. She knew she was safe right in her own bed. She didn't have to go to her mother or to any special place because she was already in God's arms and His loving care was all around her.

She thought of the last verse in her favorite hymn by Mrs. Eddy:

So, when day grows dark and cold,
Tear or triumph harms,
Lead Thy lambkins to the fold,
Take them in Thine arms. Christian Science Hymnal, No. 304 .

Lucy began to feel very cozy and happy. She knew that Father-Mother God was always taking care of her. She knew that nothing bad could happen to God's child, and that's exactly who she was. Since God, Truth, is here, a lie can't be here. A sore throat is a lie about God's child. Lucy knew she didn't have to believe a lie. In fact, she couldn't believe a lie and know the truth at the same time.

Soon she was asleep again. When she awoke in the morning, she felt fine. She didn't even mention to her father and mother that she had been awake in the night. It was not until a few weeks later, when Lucy went with them to the Christian Science service on a Wednesday evening, that they knew. During the time for testimonies, Lucy stood up and in a clear, joyful voice gave thanks for her healing.

O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt
his name together. I sought the Lord,
and he heard me, and delivered me
from all my fears....
The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them
that fear him, and delivereth them.

Psalm 34:3-7

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God's Work and Mine at Exam Time
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