The question around the table was not so much what to eat, but what to draw.

I had joined a few friends for dinner at a restaurant that places a large sheet of paper over its linen tablecloths, together with a few crayons, for people who care to doodle while they wait for their meal. Judging by the number of "artists" at our table, it's not easy for most people to resist leaving some kind of drawing or message on a blank sheet of paper.

I was reminded of this at a time when I was tempted to fill in a different sort of blank. In this case, it was the "blank" a friend was experiencing in trying to make a decision. She said she didn't know what was the right course to take, but she hadn't asked for another opinion on the matter either. Nevertheless, I went right ahead and told her my view, which only added to her confusion. I stopped, mid-sentence, and tried to wipe the slate clean. Then I honestly encouraged her to do whatever intuitively she thought was right, which she did.

When we become aware of another's contemplation going on, it can be tempting to want to leave our mark. "Here's what you should do...." "Why not take this approach?..." Even though we haven't been asked for our opinion (which we may think of as expertise), we put it forth nonetheless, and probably with good intentions. "After all, this person was looking for an answer," we say to ourselves.

That may be true. And yet, if this is not a matter of a parent helping his or her young child, are we the best one to provide an answer?

Perhaps we need to learn to respect others' "blank paper," contemplative moments a lot more, learn to be humble enough not to impose our own personal view if not asked for it. And even if asked, we need to remember that offering it may not be appropriate. An opinion is, after all, only what seems to be the case, based on personal judgment. The founder of this magazine, Mary Baker Eddy, called mere opinion valueless (see Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, p. 341).

Why is it valueless? Because when mere opinions are put forward in an effort to instruct or direct someone else, we're second-guessing the always right will of God, the one infinite Mind. Humility is key. Realizing that the divine Mind, God, governs and guides each one of us—perfectly, precisely, completely—frees us from believing that our opinion is needed to straighten out others or to influence the decisions of anyone else.

Most of us could do a better job of relying on God's government of His creation. His wisdom, His love, His moral and spiritual law, are always present, always acting, always speaking to each one, always filling in every apparent "blank" with truth, wisdom, and love.

When we are humbly listening and looking to God for answers, those answers are always found. This longing is another way to describe prayer, and praying is what someone may be doing in those "blank" moments, whether he or she says so or not. This, then, is not a time for interjecting an opinion, however good we think it is. We should, instead, let God's voice be heard.

Imposing one's personal opinions interferes with God's government, with His pure and perfect thoughts that come to guide, to comfort, to heal. Such interference is something that the Discoverer of Christian Science unequivocally opposed. In her Miscellaneous Writings, Mrs. Eddy wrote: "Instead of relying on the Principle of all that really exists,—to govern His own creation,—self-conceit, ignorance, and pride would regulate God's action. Experience shows that humility is the first step in Christian Science, wherein all is controlled, not by man or laws material, but by wisdom, Truth, and Love" (p. 354).

Don't worry. God is not timid or evasive or mute. We can count on His government. God is fully capable of making His tender but powerful and infinitely wise message heard. So, out of respect for those who may be wanting very much to hear that message, we should remember that the silence of opinions is golden.

Russ Gerber
Associate Editor