THE REWARD OF SHARING

[Of Special Interest to Children]

ANNE R. ADAMS

Did you ever cut an apple in two parts and share it with a playmate? And if the pieces weren't the same size, did you give the larger one to your friend, or did you keep it for yourself?

When we are loving, kind, generous, and good, we are happy, because we are reflecting God, who is Love. Everything good belongs to God, but we cannot keep His goodness just for ourselves, because God is unlimited good. We must share it, if we are to keep it. That is why we are happier in giving things we like to our little friends than in keeping them for ourselves. Anyone can give away what is left or what he does not want, but God's children love to share, because they reflect divine Love.

Christ Jesus taught us to love one another. He himself went around the countryside doing good. He shared what he had with others. He gave peace and health to those who were tired and sick. He fed people who were hungry. He quieted the water when the boat was dashed around roughly by the waves. He comforted those who were sad. And he said to his disciples (John 15:12, 13): "This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends."

Joyce, who is a pupil in the Christian Science Sunday School, is learning about Jesus and his teachings. One day she and her little brothers were attending the state fair. After they had ridden on the pony swing and done other amusing things, they came to a place where there were real ponies to ride. Joyce wanted to do this most of all. So, after patiently waiting for the ponies to eat their dinners, the children took a ride, one by one, around the track on a pony. It was such fun that they all asked to do it again. This time the boys went first. One of them enjoyed it so much that when Joyce's turn came, she gave it to him so that he could ride again. She said it would make her happier to see him ride than to do it herself. She was learning that she could be really happy making other people happy.

Mary Baker Eddy knew what joy would come to her students if they loved one another unselfishly and shared their good with others. She wrote in her textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 518), "The rich in spirit help the poor in one grand brotherhood, all having the same Principle, or Father; and blessed is that manwho seeth his brother's need and supplieth it, seeking his own in another's good." One reason Mrs. Eddy could share with the world the great truth which is healing and saving mankind was that she knew God is Love and reflected Him in unselfishness toward others.

Christian Science teaches us to love everyone unselfishly. It teaches us that we may reflect the love of God all the time, if we refuse to listen to error or to express selfishness. When we waken in the morning, God's love is with us for us to demonstrate and express. When we are with our playmates, we can reflect Love just as the sunlight reflects the sun. When we are at school, God's intelligence is at hand to help us through the day. God gives us the spiritual ideas we need, whether at school, at home, or with our friends. Divine Love is always with us, and we reflect Love.

So let us remember to keep our hearts pure and free so that no cloud of error can hide our true nature, which is loving, unselfish, and generous, the image and likeness of our Father-Mother God, who loves all His children dearly. In reflecting Him, we are held together in His dear love. We are brothers and sisters in God's loving household, sharing alike His love.

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