Impact moments
This article originally appeared as a Web Original on March 4, 2014.
Sometimes in retrospect it appears how the hand of God has been displayed. In that recognition, the term “grace” is understood.
Entertaining “angels unawares” is a term Mary Baker Eddy, the discoverer of Christian Science, used to describe this phenomenon, totally free of human will or capabilities (see Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, p. 299 ). These are moments of awakening to our true nature as being at one with Life, God—in perfect synchronicity.
I like to call these events “impact moments”—seemingly random moments that stand out as profound. When entertaining angels, we are oftentimes unaware of just how these messages are influencing the progression of good in our lives.
Many decades ago, I had no idea how the impact of a brief moment could transform my life. I had recently graduated from college and was working along in my career and living with roommates in a trendy downtown area of a small city. The normal routine for my after work nightlife was to meet with friends at one of the local bars and enjoy the cocktail hour, which generally lasted until close to midnight. Although I’d never been attracted to alcohol until this time, I found nothing wrong with the lifestyle choice, and didn’t question my habits. I’d grown up studying Christian Science and knew this was not compatible with its teachings, but never entertained a desire to change.
One night after work, I arrived at the designated bar to meet with friends. I sat there waiting with a drink, alone. Next to me was a couple making conversation while they drank cocktails and smoked. I couldn’t help but notice their conversational patterns. When they lacked for words, they took a sip of their drink or puffed on a cigarette before they resumed talking. Suddenly the thought came to me that the drinks and cigarettes seemed to be social crutches to help them find comfort in speaking. I questioned myself—was this what I did, too? Did I need “liquid courage” to enhance a personality? At that moment, I vowed to never fall into that mind-set again. It was that simple, and that instantaneous.
Right there, sitting in that bar, I was receptive to the spiritual, healing message that changed the course of my life.
The next memory I have of the evening was walking home, knowing something about me felt liberated and happy. I never engaged in social drinking again, and I found myself wanting to learn more about my relationship to God. I resumed the study of Christian Science, started attending church, and a year or so later married a man who supported and encouraged my spiritual focus.
To me, what was so amazing about that moment was the fact that I wasn’t actively seeking to change, nor was I living in a way that supported good moral choices that could perhaps make me a “candidate” for God’s grace. Yet right there, sitting in that bar, I was receptive to the spiritual, healing message that changed the course of my life. This example of “entertaining angels unawares” continued to encourage me from that time forward—through challenging years when my husband and I raised our four children. That experience proved to me that the Christ, defined by Mary Baker Eddy as “… the true idea voicing good, the divine message from God to men speaking to the human consciousness” (Science and Health, p. 332 ), encounters no barrier, condition, or prerequisite for receiving the gift of grace.
Another spiritual insight that comes to mind is that over the years I’ve often yearned for my children to embrace Christian Science as I do—but they are content in their lifestyle choices, just as I once was. As a result of my experience, I’ve come to realize the power of God’s allness. Rather than being discontent, I am comforted in affirming the fact that God is All—in all, for all. There are no favorite children or favored religions. God’s compassionate love is a constant presence meeting the needs of mankind, whether someone believes in God or not. The nature of God as divine Love finds us right where we are, speaks to us in ways we can perceive, and transforms the course of our lives.
The impact moments we recognize and experience secure our faith and trust in God’s progressive care for humanity. His merciful compassion corrects, governs, and blesses all. Divine Love is ours to accept rather than earn, and the Bible thoughtfully expresses this sentiment: “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God” (Ephesians 2:8 ).
