Many sons and daughters, one Father

Thomas Richard Mitchinson

Recently my young son and I went to the grocery store for a gallon of milk and a package of cookies. We had been busy that day doing tasks around the house, and this was to be our treat. I lifted him out of the car, placed him on the ground, and shut his door, inadvertently closing it on his fingers. He screamed; I fumbled for the car keys and opened the door. Then I picked him up in my arms.

He was still screaming, both from the pain of the accident and from his confusion about the fact that it was his dad who had hurt him. I stood there embracing him and quietly assuring him (and myself) that God was right there. I also reminded him of his favorite hymn in the Christian Science Hymnal, which speaks of God's presence as peace, joy, power, and of God—not pain or carelessness—as owning every hour (see No. 207).

Then the most wonderful thing happened: we both felt God's loving presence comforting, blessing, and healing us—dad and son being loved by our mutual Father, God. The tears stopped, the guilt vanished, and divine Love triumphed. I looked at his fingers and they were fine. There was a little scratch, nothing more, and that was soon gone.

Send a comment to the editors

NEXT IN THIS ISSUE

Article

Mother (and father) love...