Article December 10, 2012 Issue

Christmastime healing

Judi Bell

It was my first semester as an adult student, and I was frantic.

I was taking a full load of college courses. I had to study for several final exams and write a paper to complete the semester, and Christmas was just around the corner. How was I ever going to find the time to accomplish my college requirements and also provide a happy holiday for my husband and three children? This question tossed around in my thought one night as I tried to get to sleep, keeping me awake long into the night and early morning, which just added to my dilemma. “Great,” I thought, “now I’ll be exhausted tomorrow when I have to go to my classes.”

But something else was quietly going on in my life at that time. I had recently become interested in Christian Science through a wonderful neighbor who shared copies of the Sentinel with me. I was learning about a God who is Love, who cares for me and helps me in times of trouble. So that night as I tossed and turned in bed, I mentally reached out in prayer to this loving God with a heartfelt call for help. The answer I received guided me out of what felt like a pit of fear and despair—and has done so many times since.