Article August 13, 2018 Issue

Helping students live their full potential

Joan Bernard Bradley

Adapted from an article published in The Christian Science Monitor’s Christian Science Perspective column, December 11, 2017.

Across the globe, teachers, parents, and others have dedicated themselves to helping students live their full potential. For me, the meticulous care taken to support student progress brings to thought the image of a mother bird brooding protectively over her young, tenderly guiding their efforts so that they can learn to fend for themselves—an image also used in the Bible to depict God’s nurturing love (see, for instance, Deuteronomy 32:11).

Christian Science identifies God as both Father and Mother, tenderly caring for His, Her, spiritual offspring—which is what we all are. The Christian Science Monitor’s founder, Mary Baker Eddy, in her book Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, writes, “Father-Mother is the name for Deity, which indicates His tender relationship to His spiritual creation” (p. 332). Since God is infinite, ever-present Love and man is God’s expression, it is natural for each of us to express qualities such as kindness, compassion, and unselfish care for others.

So when school leaders work diligently to enable students to thrive, it is evidence of the Mother-love of God being graciously expressed. But regardless of what our day-to-day endeavors are, each of us has the opportunity to express our innate spiritual qualities to help improve the lives of others. Christ Jesus exemplified this standard of love throughout his career in healing and improving lives. He commanded his followers to love their neighbor as themselves. What a privilege it is to strive to obey that.

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