Each year at my Christian Science students’ association meeting, our teacher asks attendees to give away or place at least two copies of Mary Baker Eddy’s Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures during the coming year. Sharing the Christian Science textbook is something I’ve always embraced, with the thought, “I can do that.” Sometimes I would even share a few more than two. 

But last year, as I was considering this assignment, the number fifty jumped into my thinking. I laughed and thought, “That’s not possible!” But right after that, I had a warm, wonderful feeling that this message was from God rather than just me coming up with a wacky number. I felt sure that God would support this goal—that, in fact, it was a duty. 

So I began to consider more seriously how I could share Science and Health. We all encounter people in our daily lives whom we can bless with this book, which Mrs. Eddy wrote for everyone. We talk to friends, workers at drive-through windows, clerks at hotels and stores, wait staff at restaurants, and more. And we pass by places where it makes sense to place Science and Health. Of course, we need to obtain copies of the book to do this. They’re available at Christian Science Reading Rooms or can be ordered online (go to shop.christianscience.com).

Lots of wonderful experiences have unfolded as I’ve worked on this project. For instance, our family does a lot of road-tripping, and once when we were driving along and I was in need of a few copies of Science and Health for the next leg of the journey, we stopped at a Reading Room in a town where we used to be members of a branch Church of Christ, Scientist. The kids and I were talking with the librarian, and in the course of stacking up maybe eight copies of the book, she asked me if she could be a part of the mission. She wanted to pay for that stack of books. This felt to me like a confirmation that sharing the textbook is important work. 

Another time, we were in the parking lot of a local store, picking up an order, and a lovely individual came to the window to scan the code for our order. I heard from God in a big font in my thinking, “Her, now!” So I gave her a copy of Science and Health and said, “This is for you.” She took it, and I added, “This is a book about God’s love for you and how that love saves, heals, and blesses.” She embraced the book and said, “I was going to the bookstore after I get off work today to buy a Bible. It sounds like this book would go with it.” I replied, “Yes, and it even says ‘Key to the Scriptures’ on it.” She hugged it closer, and we both felt blessed. 

It’s not for me to judge someone’s readiness for Science and Health—especially if God says, “Her, now!”

I can’t tell you how many people I’ve spoken to who have embraced Science and Health. When someone says, “Have a blessed day,” that’s an opportunity for me to say, “You, too!” and hand them a book. I used to think they’d have to be initiated into spiritual thought in more depth to be able to fully appreciate this book—and this can be true in some cases. But it’s also not for me to judge someone’s readiness for Science and Health—especially if God says, “Her, now!”

As we were approaching the end of the association year, I was on my 49th book. My family was at a local pizza place, and the kids and I went to use the restroom. When we opened the door, an unexpected scene was in front of us. A woman who had been in a severe car accident was there with her mother. She had just been released from the hospital that afternoon and was bandaged, bruised, and bent. I know it was God who gave me the spiritual conviction to say to her, “You’re going to be fine before you know it. You’ll see.” And she stood up straighter and smiled. Her mom then told us the story of the accident, and I assured her that her daughter would be fine. 

As they started to leave the restroom, I remembered that I had Science and Health in my backpack. I pulled one out and handed it to them, explaining that this book would help with the healing process. The mother turned to me and said, “We love God.” I replied, “I do, too! And this book will help you with that love for God and with understanding Him.” 

So the journey goes on, and I have more copies of Science and Health in the car, ready to share.