Back to school...with God as my instructor

Here is an article I never dreamed I’d write.

While in public school, my academic grades were poor. I was blessed to progress from one level to the next without interruption. My twelfth grade English instructor informed me that my performance on the final exam rose just above the passing mark. Somehow I managed to attend college, majoring in the creative arts, but English was still a curriculum requirement I had to suffer through.

Though I didn’t grow up in Christian Science, my background was heavily Bible-oriented. So I did rely on prayer to get me through my classes, and I graduated on time with two bachelor’s degrees. After I thanked God for that accomplishment, I had no intention of returning to school. I knew that a master’s degree in my chosen field would require writing. 

I was grateful to work in the occupation of my choice, and often rejoiced that I wasn’t expected to write any more term papers or present written reports.

However, years later in October 2008, upon reading an article by my Christian Science teacher in the Christian Science Sentinel, I realized it was time for me to return to school for that master’s degree I had dodged for so many years.

I earnestly asked God where I should go and what I should study. I remembered that, in the Bible, Moses was at first full of self-doubt when God, divine intelligence, spoke to him. So I knew better than to try to “convince” God that such a step was above my ability. 

By then Christian Science had been in my life for almost three decades, and I found myself divinely guided to do some research on the computer, looking for information about an advanced degree. Previously, I was never comfortable searching on the Internet, so this was a first step in my journey. Gratefully, I found a nearby college, noted the phone number, and set up an appointment. By the end of my on-campus interview with the chairman of the music department, I had been accepted to the program and was asked to present the necessary requirements for registration, including identification, tax statements, and a personal essay about my interest in pursuing an advanced degree. I started classes in January 2009. 

During the following semesters I prayed with much sincerity, particularly with a passage from Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy: “A knowledge of the Science of being develops the latent abilities and possibilities of man. It extends the atmosphere of thought, giving mortals access to broader and higher realms. It raises the thinker into his native air of insight and perspicacity” (p. 128 ).

I looked up several of the words included in that citation and the text around it for further clarification: latent, extends, native, and perspicacity, to name just a few. I posted that citation from Science and Health throughout my apartment to look at when I was tempted to doubt my ability to succeed. 

Working this way eased my fear. I wasn’t tired even after putting in long hours of homework. I felt creative and divinely inspired. By acknowledging God as my instructor, I knew I could reflect only Him. I learned to be more patient and to listen for divine answers. The work was done; I only had to become aware of it.

Believe me when I tell you that prayer was what sustained me at this time—it was my “breakfast, lunch, and dinner.” It was also my in-between “snacks” in the middle of the day and in the wee hours of the morning.

I knew better than to try to convince God that such a step was above my ability.

When it was time for me to prepare my term papers, dear friends lovingly coached me. They are quite proficient in writing and were a big help to me as I completed my assignments. I was surprised and happy to receive an A+ on one of my final papers before earning my degree! I’ve since graduated with my MAT in music. I received a special school award upon graduating and am now an assistant professor at my alma mater.

You may have guessed what this means. Now I’m asked to help with writing projects. My performers’ union committee recently wanted to streamline an important document, and each committee member was assigned certain paragraphs to edit. Remembering what I had learned in school and from my study of Christian Science helped me. I didn’t shirk the responsibility but got right to it, editing away, and my portion was accepted.

I’ve continued to make progress since that time. Last year I wrote a testimony which was published in The Christian Science Journal. (And look! Here’s a Web article I’m writing for JSH-Online.) A union colleague, who helped me with one of my term papers, recently asked me to help her by proofreading her article for our union magazine, a national publication. I found that project to be fun, and she was very grateful for my input. Finally, I’ve been asked to write a piece about a friend of mine, also a fellow union member, for the same national publication.

Knowing that the Christ has already prepared the way for me, I’m happy to do this work. I’ve indeed found my “native air of insight and perspicacity,” thanks to Christian Science.