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Compassionate 'covering'
I remember the feeling of discomfort as a child when at a family celebration a favorite aunt, who had a bit too much to drink, started talking loudly and behaving in a way that seemed out of place. Years later, in my study of Christian Science and the Bible, I came across a little gem of a story that has helped me ever since. The story tells how the patriarch Noah got drunk and passed out naked on the floor of his tent (see Genesis 9:20–27). This doesn’t quite seem to fit the image of a God-fearing man who was able to save himself and his family from a big flood because of his receptivity to God, good. In this embarrassing situation, however, his two younger sons cared for him lovingly and compassionately. Without glancing at him, they backed into the tent and covered their father with a garment, thereby respecting him as the man he really was.
To help put someone on the path of recovery and healing, we, too, can refuse to “glance” at, or harshly judge, a vulnerable individual who has fallen victim to alcohol or drugs, and instead see what is spiritually actual about him or her as the upright, beloved child of God. We can “cover” them compassionately, seeing them ever-controlled by God’s love.
This is the spiritual approach Victoria Butler (p. 7) took when she helped her daughter gain dominion over drug use. Similarly, Joseph Ndunda (p. 11) was freed from a drug habit through prayer.
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September 10, 2012 issue
View Issue-
Letters
Frederick R. Andresen, Mary A. Williams, Nicki Hudson
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Compassionate 'covering'
Maike Byrd, Staff Editor
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Prayer about drug trafficking and violence in Mexico
Lyle Young, Arturo Gudiño Chong
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Daughter healed of drug use
Victoria Butler
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No more drug use
Joseph Ndunda
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The pendulum stops
Gwenn Gurnack
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Held from above
Debbie Miller with contributions from Andrew Christopher Miller
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A prayer for the economy
Paul Sedan
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No need to gamble–You have it all!
John Minard
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Sharing Christian Science brings many blessings
Kameron, Janette
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'Streams of love' that reverse drought
Carla Stillman
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Learn to refuse the myth of matter
Nancy Fischer
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Healing–en route to class
Carolyn Knee
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For Sikhs, turban is a proud symbol–and a target
Daniel Burke
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Amish report staggering growth in Midwest
Brandon Blackwell
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Skin cancer eradicated
Jeanne Kaleth-Martin
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Healing and spiritual awakening
John Biggs
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Our family: under the Father-Mother's care
Steve Okwor
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In your corner
The Editors