WHAT SHOULD WE REMEMBER?

ELSE L. A. BUCHENBERGER

It is with great joy that we remember the happy days in our experience, the blessings of home and friendship. We remember well the time when Christian Science first came into our lives with the sweetness of its healing touch. As we recall these experiences, our gratitude to God for His love and guidance increases. Shadows sometimes slip in, however, and we remember what we should prefer to forget. Yet, as we advance in understanding we can mark the steppingstones that were needed to bring us to our present stage of growth.

Answers to our queries are always found if we turn in "prayer and supplication with thanksgiving" (Phil. 4:6) to the Bible or the writings of Mary Baker Eddy. One such answer, applicable to almost every problem, is found in the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures." It reads (p. 223), "Remember that truth is greater than error, and we cannot put the greater into the less." This loving counsel of Mrs. Eddy's, if obeyed, would alleviate much suffering and discomfort. Does it perhaps seem that our strength is not equal to the daily tasks? Then let us remember that God, our Life, is All-power and that the promise reads (II Cor. 12:9), "My strength is made perfect in weakness."

Does the day seem too short? Do we seem to find no time for leisure and study? Then we may remember that our Master, Christ Jesus, was never in a hurry, and yet he accomplished more than anyone else has. At times he found it necessary to go up into a mountain to fortify himself and to commune with the Father. And once, when his disciples came to him for comfort and to tell him all that they had been doing, he took them to a desert place and admonished them to "rest a while" (Mark 6:31). So we cannot force a demonstration, but need at times to rest quietly and strengthen ourselves with specific study and communion. This will enable us to accomplish our task more easily.

If lack in some form seems prevalent. we can remember that our Father will care for His offspring, for each individual idea which He has created, and that He is capable of doing this. Our duty is to listen for His voice, follow and obey His directions. Isaiah gave this assurance (66:13): "As one whom his mother comforteth, so will I comfort you." We must be willing to let our burdens slip away so that Love can comfort in Love's own way.

Gratefully the writer recalls the following experience. When a young student of Christian Science, she was suddenly overcome with severe pain during her office hours. Her one thought was to reach home, for fear was great. If I knew, she thought, that my practitioner would be there waiting for me, I should not be afraid. As she reached out to God to help her get to her destination, great comfort came when she realized that infinite, tender Love, a million times greater than the love of any loved person, was actually ever present to help and heal. At that moment the error was completely swept away by the power of Truth, and she was entirely free. The freedom was breath-taking to her in its suddenness.

It does not much matter what form the so-called problem seems to take, if we turn from the error and prayerfully contemplate the truth; for the truth, conscientiously and persistently applied, will win the victory. The point is to remember Truth before error seems to get a foothold.

In her writings our Leader often admonishes us to remember. One beautiful passage is in "Miscellaneous Writings," where she says (pp. 175, 176), "But remember God in all thy ways, and thou shalt find the truth that breaks the dream of sense, letting the harmony of Science that declares Him, come in with healing, and peace, and perfect love."

Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not. ... Forsake her not, and she shall preserve thee: love her, and she shall keep thee. Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.—Proverbs 4:5-7.

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