For a couple of years before I began studying Christian Science, I frequently experienced fever and other flu-like symptoms that would knock me out for days. On one occasion, it was so bad that I went to the emergency room, simply because I didn’t know what else to do. I often couldn’t go to work or be relied on to fulfill my commitments.

After I took up the study of Christian Science, these bouts of illness came less frequently, but hadn’t yet stopped altogether. I had just come down with another spell when a member of my branch Church of Christ, Scientist, called, wanting to know if I was up for making a quick trip around the church that evening. The two of us were in charge of monitoring activities happening outside our urban church after hours. When I told her I was not feeling well, and had in fact just gotten sick all over my comforter, she cheerfully and compassionately offered to come pick me up and wash my blanket at her place, which was nearby. She said we could just hang out, or I could rest while the comforter was getting cleaned. How grateful I was!

We sat in her living room and chatted while the blanket was in the wash. I didn’t ask her for Christian Science treatment, and she didn’t offer it, but we talked as fellow church members about subjects that concern the general welfare—some of them pretty controversial. For instance, we had both recently listened to the same podcast about issues in policing, and I was struck with how she spoke about it. She seemed to be considering every question with a faithful regard and curiosity, in the genuine expectation that there is a specific answer to every need and problem. I realized with joy that it was a conversation I felt would alienate no one, including another church member whose views I had feared would seem contrary and even offensive to this person’s sensibilities.