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. 

Disoriented, I turned another way, looking for the towel. Then another way. I saw a path that led to some water, so I followed it, thinking it was our little lake, but it was just a small pond. After a few more attempts to find that red towel, I knew I was lost. It was an overcast afternoon, so I couldn’t tell in which direction the sun would set in order to orient myself. This was before cellphones, and I had no way to reach anyone for help.

Several times I called out my son’s name, but no one answered. I knew I wasn’t far from our campsite, but I also knew I should not take one more step, because I had no idea in which direction to go.  

I prayed for God’s guidance. As I stood there in the quiet, dusky woods, listening and knowing I needed to stay calm, these words from Hymn 123 in the Christian Science Hymnal came to thought: “Fear not, I am with thee, O be not dismayed, / For I am thy God, I will still give thee aid” (from Rippon’s A Selection of Hymns, adapt. © CSBD).

Then I noticed that the dogs, who had been busily checking out the area, were now at my side, and I said to one of them, “Go find John!” 

The dog started off, and I followed. We went up and down and around a bend, and very soon I saw the red towel—and coming down the path from the campsite was John. He had become concerned that I’d been gone so long and started whistling and calling for our dog.  

Just like that, all was well. I was profoundly grateful.

Later, when I was in my tent for the night, I realized I was shaking at the prospect of what could have happened: Had I not found my way back, that would have left two eleven-year-old boys alone in the wilderness at night. I am a careful person and had thought I knew exactly where that beach towel was. In fact, I’d purposely placed it in sight of the path to the campsite. I needed to pray to quiet my fears about what could have happened.

I had brought with me on the campout a big notebook of references from the Bible and Mary Baker Eddy’s writings that had been discussed during my Christian Science Primary class instruction. From time to time, particularly when I am feeling a little lost, I reread and study those references, which help me deeply consider the questions in the chapter titled “Recapitulation” in Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mrs. Eddy. Looking back, I realize that even before we left for the camping trip, I had been feeling a little lost, so I had grabbed my notebook and put it in the car.

That night, as I read by flashlight and prayed with deep gratitude for the deliverance from being lost, I got the insight that what Christian Science terms mortal mind is always lost. Science and Health says: “What we term mortal mind or carnal mind, dependent on matter for manifestation, is not Mind. God is Mind: all that Mind, God, is, or hath made, is good, and He made all. Hence evil is not made and is not real” (p. 311).

So, mortal mind is not our real mind. It presents a mistaken concept of our identity as a mortal story set in a flawed, chance-based universe. Instead, as the Bible tells us, “We have the mind of Christ” (I Corinthians 2:16), and, “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 2:5). I understand this to mean that our true identity is an all-good expression of God. 

Christ Jesus’ ministry exemplified the spiritual fact that we are always connected to our source, God, Mind. So there are always right ideas to lead us safely out of any wilderness or uncertainty. It is divinely natural for God’s children to hear ideas that bring harmonious solutions. Anyone who needs to be part of the solution will also be receptive and hear what they should do as well. I was able to let go of any fear about what could have happened. This camping trip had always been in much bigger hands than mine.

I was never lost to divine Mind or outside of the spiritual laws that include right timing, right action, and good outcomes. Over the decades I have seen these spiritual laws correct many challenging situations. 

Every time we sing Hymn 123 in church, I am vividly reminded of this experience. I hope others might be encouraged by this example and listen for the oh-so-natural ideas that divine Mind is always communicating, leading us forward. I am very grateful for Christian Science.

Ellen Austin
Corvallis, Oregon, US