I am deeply grateful for having...

Lila Jean Murphey

I am deeply grateful for having had the opportunity of associating at an early age with a playmate who attended the Christian Science Sunday School. Though no one in my family was a Scientist, my mother was very cordial to the teachings of this religion. Therefore, at the invitation of my playmate's mother, who noticed I did not attend any Sunday School at this time, I went with my friend.

Much love was expressed during my first visit, and though very young, I knew that I no longer had cause to fear God, but could love Him and all His creation. I consider this a healing, for I ceased fearing God, and since then have feared nothing, reasoning that anything unlike God, good, can have neither power nor place in His kingdom, for He has created everything in this kingdom good. Also, I have found it impossible to be jealous of any person, knowing that we are all the children of God and that He, being impartial in His love, cares for each one of us.

One summer I slipped an estimated distance of five hundred feet down a mountain slope. Instantly I recalled that my Sunday School teacher had told me that God's arms are around me, protecting me at all times. Shortly I returned to an anxious group, declaring I was perfectly all right.

Several years ago I had a deep desire to serve at one of the Christian Science Benevolent Association Sanatoriums. The desire to serve seemed right and plans were made. At this time, however, I was holding a position with the government which came under the ruling that one would have to wait three months after termination of his services before obtaining other work. The suggestion came that a request to waive the rule would not be granted. I called a practitioner, who assured me that "the preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, is from the Lord" (Prov. 16:1), and that because I was in reality a child of God I could not be governed by any human limitation. She worked for me three days, during which I had to go before several government boards. At the end of this time the practitioner told me just to fill my heart with gratitude for the good already received. I did so, and the next day a letter came from the government granting my request without delay.

The step that followed enabled me not only to serve as an associate at the Sanatorium at Chestnut Hill, but also to finish my Sunday School days in The Mother Church.

I still feel the arms of Love around me, and although I have made mistakes, Love has always prevented me from continuing in them. Each experience has brought me a better understanding of God and man.

In the words from one of our hymns (Hymnal, No. 283):

Praise we the Lord, who our footsteps
still holdeth from sliding; Daily He campeth about us, protecting and guiding;
E'en while we sleep
Watch doth He tenderly keep;
Ever new mercies providing.

—(Miss) Lila Jean Murphey, Boston, Massachusetts.

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