Like today, the years of Christ Jesus’ ministry were filled with political and social turmoil. Jesus himself was subject to constant persecution because of his teachings and healings. Yet Jesus also gave us the best possible example of how to approach troubling times and personal difficulties.

Jesus often referred to God as Father. At one point, in a moment of direst need, he was in the garden of Gethsemane and knew that he was about to be tried and crucified; the disciples he had asked to watch with him had gone to sleep. He was alone. We read in the Gospel of Mark: “And he went forward a little, and fell on the ground, and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him. And he said, Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee; take away this cup from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt” (14:35, 36).

In the context of this desperate moment, Jesus directly addressing his divine Father suggests a whole world of confident love and trust. The prayer that he gave his disciples and humanity begins with “Our Father which art in heaven” (Matthew 6:9), and in Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, Mary Baker Eddy interprets this verse as “Our Father-Mother God, all-harmonious” (p. 16). As I was reading this passage recently, it dawned on me that Jesus’ view of God included both fatherly strength and protection and motherly love and care. And it reminded me of a childhood experience of mine.