When our family decided to take a vacation together, we found a place for rent along the Gulf of Mexico, about a three hour drive from our home. My little grandchildren were especially looking forward to enjoying the swimming pool and beachcombing along the shore.

We followed the directions and found our condo, set back from the beach, which was accessible by a pretty boardwalk bridge. The children and I changed into bathing suits right away and climbed across the boardwalk and down onto wonderful soft sand. We kicked off our shoes and raced down to play in the gentle waves and then wandered back and forth looking for seashells. The children soon filled their little buckets with all sorts of things found along the tide line.

It was getting hot and we all agreed something to drink and a dip in the pool would be a great idea. But when we looked back at the dunes we were unable to spot the entrance to our boardwalk. I was upset with myself for not paying closer attention when we entered the beach area. I should have been more aware of some landmark to use in finding our way back. I was also chiding myself for not bringing along some bottles of water. The children were tired and hot and wanted to go back, but I didn’t want to cross the dunes in the wrong place.

I led them back to the tide line to find “one more shell” and began to pray, to turn my thoughts away from fear or frustration toward God for the guidance we needed.

As I scanned the top of the dunes, I remembered something I had read that morning as I was studying the Christian Science Bible Lesson for that week, which includes citations from the Bible and from Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy. I love this passage and knew it by heart: “Willingness to become as a little child and to leave the old for the new, renders thought receptive of the advanced idea. Gladness to leave the false landmarks and joy to see them disappear,—this disposition helps to precipitate the ultimate harmony” (Science and Health, pp. 323–324).

What helped me right then was the word landmarks. A landmark is something that sticks out as a characteristic feature of a landscape and will guide your way. And that was exactly what I needed! But now I realized that I first had to clear away any “false landmarks” in my thinking. These false landmarks were fear that we would not be able to find our way back quickly and guilt for not being more alert when we came onto the beach. To leave these behind me, I started to acknowledge the spiritual truth about me. The first chapter of the Bible states that God created man in His own image and likeness and that was very good (see Gen. 1:26, 27, 31). As a child of God I was the image and likeness of Spirit, exactly mirroring that perfect divine original. What was true about God was true about me.

In my study of Christian Science, I often use the seven synonyms Mary Baker Eddy, the discoverer of this method of spiritual healing, gives for God. They are found in her book, Science and Health. I love all seven names: Principle, Mind, Soul, Spirit, Life, Truth, and Love (see p. 587). Familiarity with them through studying her writings has proved a valuable resource whenever I have needed physical healing or guidance in solving a challenge. This was certainly a challenge!

In my prayer, I thought about the different synonyms for God and reasoned that God, divine Mind, was always aware of His creation and by reflection we could never be outside of that awareness. We could not be lost. We could know how to find our way back because Mind knew. I thought about Principle as the law of unfailing good. I knew that divine Love was watching over us and would not let us be somewhere dangerous. And I loved to think of God as our Father-Mother keeping us all safe.

By now it was later in the day and the sand was quite hot away from the waterline. We had kicked off our shoes back at the boardwalk. That was it! I decided to stop looking at the top of the dunes and look along the bottom for our shoes. Within minutes, I was able to spot them and guide everyone to the right place. On our way back, we noticed small numbered markers on the ridge. Now we knew we could always find our entrance between number five and number six.

We dropped off our buckets, paused for a cool drink, and then grabbed some towels and went for a refreshing dip in the pool. As the children played and swam, I took time to be grateful for the way my prayers had been answered. It was good to see that one can always turn to God as a very present help in time of need.

Sitting in the shade of the beach umbrella, I thought about some of other meanings of landmark. It can stand for an event marking an important stage of development, a turning point. I thought back on some of the landmarks in my own spiritual journey. Attending my first Christian Science church service and being so warmly welcomed by the members. A growing understanding of God and my relationship with Him. Several healings of physical problems through prayer in Christian Science. That wonderful turning point when I knew this was the religion and way of life I had been seeking. I could trust its teachings to meet my every need and the needs of those I love. We had a great vacation. It was a true landmark experience.