Article April 24, 2000 Issue

PEACE IN THE FACE OF CONFUSION

Melissa Jane Hayden

I had been struggling in a relationship with a close friend. Although my friend and I had many things in common, he didn't share my growing faith in or love of God. While I was devoting more time and study to the practice of Christian Science, my friend was becoming more involved in alcohol and drugs. He wanted me to lighten up, and I wanted him to sober up. I knew I had to make a decision about whether to continue in the relationship.

To decide one way, it seemed, was to give up a close companionship, but then to be able to head for a cherished long-term goal. To decide the other way was to have what looked like happiness, albeit short-term, but with an uncertain future. Although I knew what decision I would eventually have to make, I was grieving over the loss I imagined I would experience, and I couldn't seem to make myself decide.

One day as I was sitting in my chair praying, asking God for a sign of help, I heard my cat purring as she lay in the warm sun on the back of the couch. Although I hadn't petted her, or even spoken to her, she was so content in the sunshine, she simply had to express herself.

Send a comment to the editors

NEXT IN THIS ISSUE

Testimony of Healing

Spiritual seeker finds answers and healing