We learn from the Bible that God is Love. The book of First John says: "Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love" (4:7, 8).

How do we know God loves us? Through the good thoughts that come from Him. God's love is infinite, ever present. It fills all space. He loves all His children and cares for each of them. Wrapped in His tender love, we are safe.

Alexander, a small boy I know, was unhappy. He was being bullied at school. We had a talk about God, and I asked him if he knew who was in charge. He said he knew God was, and he knew that God is Love. As we shared some of the ideas I have written here, I told him that he could love this boy and see him as he is in truth, as God's perfect, loving likeness. There was absolutely nothing to be afraid of because God's love is all-powerful, and it was with them both all the time.

I remembered an experience of a young girl named Amanda, who had just begun to attend school. I asked Alexander if he would like to hear about it. He said he would.

Amanda was a nice girl. She had no sisters or brothers, just her mummy and daddy, so I helped look after her sometimes. Amanda was growing up, and the first day of school soon came. Her mummy dressed her in her new uniform. They had discussed what would happen, but Amanda was still feeling very frightened at the thought of going to this new, big school, as her mummy would not be with her. Still, they set off. Before they were quite there, Amanda saw the school building and began to cry very loudly. Her mummy tried to help her. Eventually, she did go into school, but it wasn't easy.

The next morning I took Amanda to school, and it was the same—loud crying and screaming. I knew Amanda had just started attending Sunday School as well. We stood still, right there, and I said: "Amanda, dear, you attend Sunday School, and you learn there that God is Love. You know you are wrapped in His love, and there is nothing to be afraid of. Some of those little girls in school may be feeling a bit frightened, too. Perhaps they haven't learned about God's love, so you can go into school and love them, and tell them God loves and cares for them all the time. God loves all His children."

Amanda calmed down right away and went bravely into school, and the next three mornings, too. When she came home with her mummy on Friday at lunchtime, she rushed to me and said, "I love school now!" One of the girls at school had put her arm round Amanda and had said, "I love you, Amanda." Amanda soon loved her teacher, too.

Alexander liked the story. He decided to be brave, like Amanda, and to love the other boy. His mummy read some of the children's stories to him that she bought at the Reading Room. They reminded Alexander of how much God loves him—and everyone.

When I talked to Alexander next, he reported that the bullying had stopped and that he now has lots of friends. He remembers that he is never separated from God's love for one moment, because God, Love, is Spirit, filling all space, and man is God's loved, spiritual idea.

The words of a hymn that children sing in the Sunday School were written by Mary Baker Eddy. The hymn begins, "O gentle presence, peace and joy and power ...." The last line of the second verse reminds us, "His arm encircles me, and mine, and all" (Christian Science Hymnal, No. 207). Isn't it wonderful to know that God helps us not to be afraid but to love everyone as He loves us!