A friend of mine asked me if I would be available to help move a family member to a new location. I told her I would be happy to help, and arrangements were made to rent a moving van. Making several trips from the house to the new location turned into an all-day activity. 

The following day I was scheduled to serve as an usher at a Wednesday testimony meeting at my church (a branch of The First Church of Christ, Scientist, in Boston). But when I woke up that morning, my back was stiff, and it was difficult to get out of bed. I thought about getting a substitute usher, but ultimately felt that I should be at my scheduled post that evening. 

A familiar statement from the Christian Science textbook, Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, came to mind: “Whatever it is your duty to do, you can do without harm to yourself” (Mary Baker Eddy, p. 385). In the margin next to this paragraph are the words “Honest toil has no penalty.” I’ve always felt that this truth applies to any activity we’re engaged in. I found, though, that as the day went on, getting up from a seated position was becoming more challenging.