Prayer gave me a new view of my midwife

One of my favorite sayings from grade school went something like this: “If you don’t like someone, you probably just don’t know him well enough.” And many times, I’ve found that to be true. An awkward first impression has often taken a decided turn for the better as I've spent more time with a person.

But there have been times when I’d already tried to get to know a person and still wasn’t comfortable. In those cases, I’ve sometimes thought about another quote—one that helps me open up more to God’s healing influence.

Mary Baker Eddy wrote, “It is our ignorance of God, the divine Principle, which produces apparent discord, and the right understanding of Him restores harmony.”

I’ve found that whenever I have a fuller, truer view of God, and I recognize my fellow men and women as His expression, it has naturally yielded a better view of them.

I’ve had occasions when a flash of inspiration about God and His goodness has helped me recognize goodness or some other spiritual quality in an acquaintance. When I begin to interact with this fresh and more correct view, I can honestly say that it feels like I’m dealing with a new person. The slate is wiped clean of hostility and disappointment. More than just setting aside discomfort, true healing occurs.

Here’s an example. A couple of years ago, when I was pregnant with my third child, I returned to the midwife who helped with my first two children. I discovered that Bobbie had since merged her practice with another midwife and the two of them alternated care of their patients. One time I’d see Bobbie, the next, Barbara.

Right off the bat, I felt uncomfortable with Barbara. I couldn’t shake the impression that she felt I was a difficult patient. Bobbie had become comfortable with our family’s prayerful approach to healing difficulties during pregnancy, but Barbara seemed skeptical. And even though I was as friendly and upbeat as possible, it wasn’t having any impact.

As my due date neared, tension grew. Barbara was concerned about the pregnancy and upcoming childbirth. Bobbie was not. After a particularly stressful appointment with Barbara, I realized I was more concerned about her attitude than I was about the birth itself. I hoped Bobbie would be on duty when it was time for my baby to come.

My focus was skewed, so I did what helps me most. I prayed.

I’d been praying specifically for my baby and me throughout my pregnancy, but now I broadened my prayers. I knew that this joyous event should bless everyone involved—that was what I’d experienced with my first two deliveries.

I suddenly realized that if it were more appropriate for Barbara to be off-duty when my little one arrived, God would ensure the timing worked out. This idea, that God was caring for me and for my family nonstop, in every little detail, re-opened my view of God and brought me closer to “…a right understanding of Him.”

As a consequence, it gave me a new view of Barbara. She was as much a child of God as I was. She was a good midwife and just wanted safe and harmonious deliveries for her patients. I began to appreciate the work she had done for me and for my family and saw that she, too, had great capacity for caring. I was no longer concerned about who would be there for the delivery.

When my baby did come, he came quickly, safely, and almost effortlessly—and because he came so fast, neither midwife was in attendance! My husband delivered our son. Bobbie arrived soon after and pronounced both the baby and me healthy.

My final postpartum visit to the midwifery was to see Barbara. My change toward a more correct view of God, and of her as God’s spiritual idea, enabled me to interact with her in a new way. I had a fun appointment with her. She was complimentary toward me and my family, and even remarked that I’d been an easy patient. All the former discomfort and awkwardness had vanished.

Like you and me, our fellow men and women are the very reflection of God, so it’s natural that we’ll gain a more correct view of that reflection as we improve our understanding of the original.

Better glimpses of God ensure that we ourselves contribute positively to relationships. We’re less afraid or defensive as we interact with others, because we recognize that we are under God’s constant care and guidance.

It’s wonderful to realize that it’s natural to reflect God’s generosity and love in our interpersonal relationships, responding with healing and a simple, genuine desire to get to know one another better.

We're all under God's care:

Science and Health
390:7-9

King James Bible
Matt. 22:39