Have you noticed that people are prone to ask God for healing, or perhaps guidance in important decisionmaking, and at the same time urge the Father to be sure to work out the difficulty in the way that meets their personal wishes?

This was not the way of the most successful healer of all time, Christ Jesus. He prayed, "Not my will, but thine, be done." ^{Luke 22:42.} Mary Baker Eddy, a devoted follower of the Master, proved to a remarkable degree in her life the enormous good that comes from relying on God's guidance under all circumstances. In a poem much loved by Christian Scientists, called " 'Feed My Sheep,' " she writes:

Those who listen and follow do not outline in their prayers a result of their own choosing. They say, "Thy will be done," for they know that the divine way is the only true, harmonious way.

Early in my experience as a professional dramatic actor I learned of an opening for an important leading role in a New York stage production that was being formed and was soon to open on Broadway. Conventional human thinking told me that I must get that part, inasmuch as it would give me the Broadway exposure I felt was needed to further my acting career. However, since I had been a student of Christian Science from early childhood, I knew that God's will for each of His beloved children is always good. Knowing and trusting this, I felt sure that I would be led to be in the place humanly right for me and that my steps would be divinely ordered. I calmly and humbly put the whole matter in God's hands and promised divine Love and myself that I would accept the result graciously.

I didn't receive the part. Though I felt some disappointment, I was confident that God's will for me was always in my best interest and confidently went on trusting Him.

Shortly thereafter I received a call from my booking agent, who told me of an excellent leading role that was open to me in a roadshow, and I accepted. This show had a long and very successful run. Many happy and progressive years in the entertainment field followed. Oh yes, I should mention, the New York production show, which I had initially wanted so badly to be in, closed one week after its opening.

How convincingly this experience proved to me that God's way is always the best! Had I insisted on my human outlining and personal willpower, I would not have been ready to see the blessing that followed my initial disappointment. I would have resisted what God's divine law had in store for me—the great opportunities and development that lay ahead. My willingness to let God, the one and only Mind, govern and guide me proved to be a tremendous blessing.

The Bible tells us, "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding." ^{Prov. 3:5.} It makes no difference what our legitimate need is, whether it be related to health, business, family life, human relationships. Implicit faith in God's all-good will for us provides the correct answer when we pray, listen, and follow.

Let us never doubt that our prayers will be heard, for the Bible assures us, "He shall call upon me, and I will answer him." ^{Ps. 91:15.} God is constantly speaking to us. Let us attentively listen and then follow. God's way is always the best way.