Article January 1, 1998 ISSUE

From Russia

Once I developed a very good friendship with someone of the opposite sex. Soon, I found myself attracted to that individual. The communication I once had with my friend became dimmed by this more personal relationship.

I realized I needed to pray for healing of this situation. In Christian Science, prayer that heals is called “treatment.” I would treat myself again and again, in order to gain some peace.

I declared that I was an expression of God, and that this situation could not be disturbing. Often, however, I would feel unhappy again.

So I humbly turned to God. I began to understand that, if He brought me into that friendship, He couldn't leave me without help. I saw this friendship as a mission with which God had entrusted me. I realized that I didn't need to break off with my friend, and that I could express openness and honesty. I also thought that, because I was a complete expression of God, I couldn't lack anything, whether I had the companionship of my friend or not.

This prayer brought peace and joy. But then I discovered a new problem: I had begun to criticize my friend. Someone gently reminded me of a phrase in “A Rule for Motive and Acts,” from the Manual of The Mother Church by Mary Baker Eddy: “...divine Love [God] alone governs man...” (p. 40). I realized that God loves and governs everybody, and that I could trust Him.

My friendship continues. It brings fresh inspiration to me, and, I hope, to my friend. I'm also grateful that I have changed. :)

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January 1, 1998

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