Article July 31, 2000 Issue

JUSTICE SERVED

While my husband dealt with the practical steps in pleading our case, I decided to pray while waiting in the car.

Margaret G. Griffin

One of the many benefits gained from reading the Bible is understanding the divine Principle that governs the moment-by-moment activity of our lives. I've read and studied the Bible nearly every day for many years now, and I've noticed that, in numerous instances, reliance on God has resulted in principled outcomes in people's everyday lives. Outcomes that are fair, just, and effective.

It wasn't until last summer, when my husband and I were on vacation, that I relied specifically on my understanding of God as Principle to solve a problem. When we were checking out of a summer resort, we noticed a charge to our account that we thought was unfair. What was especially troublesome was the underlying thought that the staff felt we had done something wrong. It seemed that the peace and fun we had looked forward to on this vacation were about to be snatched away from us.

While my husband dealt with the practical steps in pleading our case, I decided to pray while waiting in the car. A description of prayer that I find helpful is in Science and Health. It's a statement referring to Jesus' prayers as "deep and conscientious protests of Truth" (p. 12). Truth here is used as another synonym for God.