One of the most comforting truths that Christian Science reveals is the fatherhood and motherhood of God. Mary Baker Eddy writes in the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 256), "Love, the divine Principle, is the Father and Mother of the universe, including man."

Today, countless numbers of young men and young women are finding themselves, perhaps for the first time, a great distance away from the valued companionship and counsel of devoted parents. In other environments, surrounded by new associates and faced with the necessity of making right decisions, many are experiencing loneliness, frustration, and disappointment. Many may long to hear the counsel and encouragement of a mother or father. Behind this deep desire is the hope and faith, and in some measure the conviction, that they would thus gain the needed wisdom to solve each perplexing problem and to restore assurance and happiness.

Just as children naturally turn in implicit reliance to loving parents for comfort, we can turn instinctively to God, our ever-present Father-Mother. The yearning to call upon human parents, or to lean upon person, will yield to complete reliance on Principle; and the longing to be loved, understood, and protected will be satisfied in whole hearted turning our Father-Mother God, whose love is divine, all-wise, and constant. When we experience this human reaching out to the divine and become conscious of our need for God, knowing that He is our only real parent, we are ready for spiritual growth. Then we shall begin to see the disappearing of the desire to depend upon limited personal counsel and opinion. We shall see the natural appearing of joyous, steadfast reliance on and obedience to unerring Principle, whose nature brings comfort to all.

The writer in her young womanhood, when she was many miles away from her home and parents, was faced with what appeared to her an exceedingly difficult problem. Later, the solving of this very problem brought her a great blessing, which has been unfolding through the years. But at that time discord, confusion, and fear blinded her eyes to any possible solution. One night, thoroughly disheartened, she went out alone into the darkness of a night pierced by millions of stars overhead. She looked up into the heavens, and with a sense of despair she called out with a great yearning: "Mother, what shall I do? What can I do?"

Some months later the writer related this incident to her mother, thinking that she would be happy to know how deeply her daughter loved and respected her comfort and counsel. But this wise, understanding mother said with simplicity and strength: "My dear, you were not actually calling out to me. You were most truly calling out to your Father-Mother God!"

This mother was turning her daughter's thought away from personal attachment, away from the human concept of motherhood. She was gently leading her into the contemplation of the fatherhood and motherhood of God and of man's divine sonship with infinite Love, the only parent and creator. With this understanding the mother was freeing not only her daughter but herself from a false sense of dependence and possession, realizing that they both were truly children of God, unchanging Love.

As one becomes an earnest student of Christian Science he continues to gain a clearer understanding of God, of His Father-Mother love and His tender relationship to man. In this study the Glossary of Science and Health is especially helpful. Here Mrs. Eddy defines God in part as Mind, Soul, Spirit, Principle, Life, Truth, Love. Satisfaction and comfort are to be found in our Leader's beautiful definition of "Mother" (Science and Health, p. 592): "God; divine and eternal Principle; Life, Truth, and Love." And the definition of "Father" is also helpful (ibid., p. 586): "Eternal Life; the one Mind; the divine Principle, commonly called God." Continued conscientious study and earnest thought bring a fuller realization that God's offspring is the likeness of his Father-Mother God. Man is the child of Spirit; he is of divine origin. This realtionship assures him of God's infinite goodness and love.

Not one of God's children can go beyond Love's comfort and constant care, for the Father-Mother love of God is brooding over all. God's child is known and dearly beloved by Him and can never be separated from Him. This realization lifts consciousness above the confusion of material sense into the quiet of His presence. Then we shall hear the assuring promise voiced in the words of the Psalmist (Ps. 91:15), "He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honour him." When we call upon God in sincerity, humility, and dependency, we can know of a certainty that we shall gain His ear.

A young university student, a Christian Scientist, had just enlisted in a branch of the Navy which permitted him to continue his education for a certain length of time. He was told that he could select and enroll in one of two specified universities. The student felt a great sense of responsibility in making this decision, for he knew the importance of continuing in the course in which he had already accumulated a good many hours of credits. To be able to complete this education would determine largely the paths of business he would follow after his discharge from the service. He asked for a little time in which to make this decision.

He then walked out beyond the administrative building to a high hill and sought guidance of his Father-Mother God. He found himself reasoning that it would be more profitable and pleasant to return to the university nearer his home, his parents, and friends. Then he questioned himself sharply, "Look, fellow, are you going to do what you want to do, or are you going to do what divine wisdom tells you to do?"

At this point he turned completely away from personal desire and opinion and was willing to go wherever divinely guided. He acknowledged God's unerring wisdom and will. Then he waited quietly to hear the still small voice. At length he left the hilltop, knowing that his call had been heard. When he returned to his room, he found orders to report at once to the administrative offices. Here he was informed that further developments in a higher office had resulted in an order for his immediate departure. He was handed the written orders and transportation. He looked at his orders, and saw that he was being sent back to his home state university. Eventually he was graduated from this university.

As the true conception of the fatherhood and motherhood of God is gained, and as we claim our heritage as the child of God, we experience joyous release from a false sense of dependence or responsibility. We find that our capacities are enlarged, our freedom is increased, and we are enabled to experience harmonious human relationships, free from the tug of false emotions. There is joy and comfort is knowing that the good in human love, loyalty, and obedience is no less, but rather stronger, purer, and more genuine because of the spiritual understanding that enables us to love spiritually, impartially, and universally.

We must all call on our Father-Mother God in order to find guidance and security. Isaiah was speaking to the sons and daughters of God when he said (30:21), "Thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left."