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Hang on tight
As a child, I remember clinging tightly to my mother’s hand as we crossed busy streets. One time while we were shopping, she allowed me leave her side as long as I only stayed near the store she was in and not cross the street. Instead of obeying her, I tripped gaily out the store door, wandered to a corner, crossed the street, and soon realized I could not find my way back to the store my mother was in.
A friendly policeman found me and returned me to my parents. From this I learned that not only did I have to hang on to my mother’s hand, but I also had to “hang on” to what she told me. I needed to be obedient.
This childhood story reminds me of the need to hang on to what God is telling us. Mary Baker Eddy writes: “When the illusion of sickness or sin tempts you, cling steadfastly to God and His idea. Allow nothing but His likeness to abide in your thought” (Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, p. 495). In the past, I’ve applied this concept to situations where I needed to find freedom from sickness. I would fill my thoughts with the understanding that I am God’s spiritual idea—“clinging steadfastly.” This prayer brought many healings, for which I am most grateful. However, I hadn’t given much thought to its application of overcoming sin. As a result, I’d often wavered in my commitment to refrain from gossip and to obey God’s quiet messages to be kind to others.
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