A young groundhog appeared on our property one summer day. As I watched it, I had a feeling that it needed care, and my heart went out to it. When it came closer, I could see that six porcupine quills were protruding from its side and jaw. 

Through my study of Christian Science I’ve learned that we can pray to see the spiritual reality of a situation by letting God, the one infinite Spirit and Soul, inspire our perspective on what we see around us. Mary Baker Eddy writes in Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, “Metaphysics resolves things into thoughts, and exchanges the objects of sense for the ideas of Soul” (p. 269).

As I opened my heart to God for what to do to help, this powerful spiritual practice of resolving things into thoughts came to mind. I recalled places in Eddy’s writings where she refers to spiritual qualities that creatures symbolize. For example, referring to cattle, she says: “In the figurative transmission from the divine thought to the human, diligence, promptness, and perseverance are likened to ‘the cattle upon a thousand hills.’ They carry the baggage of stern resolve, and keep pace with highest purpose” (Science and Health, p. 514). Further on she adds, “Patience is symbolized by the tireless worm, creeping over lofty summits, persevering in its intent” (p. 515).