One thing I particularly appreciate about Christian Science is the proof it provides, through concrete experiences, that the universe is designed for good, not for chance and mishap.

Years ago, when my son John was eleven years old, I took him, his friend, and our two dogs on an overnight camping trip in the Oregon Cascades wilderness. It was summertime, and we found a secluded campsite near a small lake, with a stone circle for a campfire and a wooden raft. The boys thought this was the perfect spot.

After the boys were done playing in the lake that afternoon, I went to collect kindling for the campfire, and I reminded them to stay out of the water until I returned. The dogs followed me. A hundred yards or so from the campsite, I laid down a large red beach towel to put the kindling on so I could carry it back to the campsite. But at one point, when I turned back to put another armload of kindling on the towel, it wasn’t there.