Mandy's song

Mandy was so excited! At school she learned a new song that she especially liked. It was fun singing it to her family, but she couldn't remember some of the words.

Mother recalled that Aunt Ella had given Mandy a songbook a long time ago, and it had all the words of that song in it. But where was the book? Mother thought a moment and then checked a couple of places. It wasn't there. Mandy was disappointed. She asked if they could look in the hall closet and the big boxes where Mother kept some outgrown but special toys.

"Mandy, dear, I looked where I thought the book might be, and it's not there. I could look and look for hours and not find it," Mother said. "But I know something we can do...."

"Oh, yeah!" Mandy interrupted. "We could pray." Mandy remembered that in the Christian Science Sunday School she had been learning how to pray—to listen to God. She was discovering that when we turn to God, sure of His allness and nearness, the result is our being healed of sickness and our solving other problems, even finding lost articles.

Mandy and her mother tried to remember that divine Mind was giving them good thoughts, even in the small things they did. Whether it was moving to a new house, staying healthy, finding things, or making friends, the idea of God being near and giving good was natural to them. Mandy felt better as she began to think that God is Mind and in God's kingdom nothing can be misplaced, lost, or forgotten.

Just before Mother went back to the kitchen she asked Mandy this question Mrs. Eddy asks in Science and Health: "'What are the motives for prayer?'" ^{Science and Health, p. 2 .} Then Mother said, "In other words, Mandy, why are you praying?" 

It occurred to Mandy that while finding the songbook would be fun, the real purpose of prayer is to feel God's nearness; to prove God's love for man. Mandy knew we don't pray about getting things, but about seeing each of God's children as complete. Mandy thought being complete must mean always having what was good or what belonged to her. After a few moments of this kind of praying, Mandy felt much more cheerful.

A little later Mother thought she remembered seeing the book in the living room desk. But on the way to check the desk, guess what she found in another place! The book for Mandy!

Mandy was so happy. Now singing the new song was even more special because it reminded her of God's ever-present care.

Note to parents:

God, of course, doesn't keep track of books, or cars, or houses, or any other material object. But each spiritual idea in His universe, every particle and element of good, is safely kept in divine Mind, God. Acknowledging the presence of infinite Mind, then acting on the fresh inspiration that normally flows from such quiet prayer, are the basis of Christian living. In the same paragraph in Science and Health which Mandy's mother quoted is another thoughtprovoking question: "Are we benefited by praying?" Mrs. Eddy's reply is, "Yes, the desire which goes forth hungering after righteousness is blessed of our Father, and it does not return unto us void." ^Ibid. This can be proved in even the simplest details of one's life.