THE BIBLE IN MY LIFE November 20, 2006 Issue

THE SCRIPTURES—ALL THE WAY THROUGH

MELISSA ABBOTT

About Seven Years Ago, my husband and I were trying hard to balance very active work and home lives. Our ongoing responsibility of raising three young children loomed large over us. While attending to the needs of the kids, I found myself yearning to trust and understand God more and gain a firmer understanding of Christian Science. Although I knew I was on the right track for spiritual development—studying, praying, and striving to apply the truths I was learning—I still felt a long way from what Mary Baker Eddy described as a "deep-toned faith" (Miscellaneous Writings 1883–1896, p. 204).

I called a Christian Science practitioner to pray about this with me, and I will always appreciate her approach. One of the first things she asked me was, "Have you read the Bible through?" I had not—this seemed like such an awesome undertaking.

At first, the usual excuses crowded my thinking. I already have a full plate. I don't have time to add this to my regular study. I'm not the scholarly type. I couldn't possibly wade through all the tedious language that veils the message.