When resources appear to be at risk of depletion, it may seem as if there is no help or hope, but Christ Jesus taught that the kingdom of God is at hand, and that we can experience God’s kingdom right now. I learned I could trust this fact when I was faced with what looked like a scary employment and income situation for my family.

Both my husband and I had voluntarily left what had been longtime, secure employment, each for a new opportunity that offered what seemed like welcome change, challenge, and learning. But those opportunities ended within the year. One resulted in a very large debt. At the same time, we were facing a large college tuition payment and significant expenses for a planned wedding for one of our children. All of this was in addition to mortgage and other ongoing and everyday expenses.

Amid these circumstances, I was grateful for the active presence of Christian Science in our thought and lives. It helped to have had a foundation of Christian Science Sunday School in our youth and Christian Science class instruction as adults, and we daily prayed and studied the Bible Lesson found in the Christian Science Quarterly; we also attended church, participated in church work, and found awakening inspiration from the Christian Science periodicals that came into our home. The ideas from all of this helped us to stay mentally active, positive, and forward-looking.