Article September 17, 2007 Issue

True view of the mountain

BY NANCY ROBISON

IT WAS TWILIGHT when we left the mountains after a wonderful day of springtime sking. As our family drove onto the freeway, I glanced back and saw what I thought was dark smoke billowing over the rim of the mountain we'd just left. A bright flickering light also lit up the sky. It was a frightening sight to me. Since forest fires were not uncommon in our area, it wasn't unusual for us to wonder if a mountain was burning. We turned on the car radio to find out if there was any report of fire, but were puzzled over how it could have started so fast with so much snow around.

I thought about how we could help the situation. Then our son shouted, "Look!" As I turned quickly in my seat, there was the largest, brightest moon I'd ever seen peeking over the mountain's rim. It was quite a beautiful sight. "Oh, we've been fooled!" I exclaimed. The moonlight reflected on the clouds had made them look like huge billows of smoke. In actuality, we'd been viewing a spectacular natural moonrise. The whole family laughed at how certain we'd been that the mountain was on fire.

From my study of Christian Science, I recalled many times when the convincing appearance of illness or inharmony threatened to shut out my conviction that God was all-powerful, good. But as I prayed to see things with spiritual clarity, my thought shifted, and whatever situation seemed intimidating dissolved, bringing healing.