While attending a professional conference, I sat during the lunch break with a woman from New York City, who was blind. Since she lives only a few blocks from her job, she normally walks to work. Someone at the table asked her if she were afraid to walk about the city, especially since she couldn't see. She replied that she wasn't, and went on to explain that although she's in a very large city, the area where she lives and works is like a small, close-knit community. Even the homeless people who regularly frequent her area are part of what she views as her community family. She explained that many of these people greet her on her way to and from work, and look out for her safe passage.

She told us that one day she had to go to a meeting in another part of town. To get there she had to make two subway changes. It was pouring rain that day, and she was not relishing the trip. As she headed for the subway entrance, one of her homeless friends came to her and remarked that she had taken a wrong turn. She explained that she needed to go to a meeting in a different part of town. He offered to accompany her to make sure she got there safely, and he did just that, holding her umbrella and guiding her around puddles.

What kept this woman from feeling afraid? Wasn't it that she viewed her fellow man as family? She looked upon each individual with love instead of fear or the expectation of harm or violence.

I, too, have experienced this same sense of safety by learning to look upon others as part of my family, regardless of their race, religion, economic status, or circumstances. As I look back to Biblical times, I realize that Christ Jesus often associated with those whom others shunned. He taught and lived brotherly love toward all mankind, even toward those one might call enemies (see Matt. 5:43, 44).

Commenting on the blessings that an enlarged sense of family brings, Mary Baker Eddy states, "With one Father, even God, the whole family of man would be brethren; and with one Mind and that God, or good, the brotherhood of man would consist of Love and Truth, and have unity of Principle and spiritual power which constitute divine Science" (Science and Health, pp. 469–470). Elsewhere in the same book, the author describes the relation between God and His offspring as "one Father with His universal family, held in the gospel of Love" (p. 577). Viewing others as part of God's family has enabled me to feel comfortable and safe no matter where I am.

This way of seeing others greatly helped me when for many years I worked in a special education program that served young children with disabilities and their families, many of whom lived in areas of the city that were considered unsafe. The media reported frequent incidents of crime and violence in these areas, including robberies, shootings, stabbings, and murders—many during daylight hours.

Friends and co-workers often asked if I were not afraid to go into these neighborhoods to make the periodic home visits that were a part of my job. But I never was afraid, neither was I naive. Before making a visit, I always prayed to know that God was guarding and guiding each one of us. I especially liked to think about the ninety-first Psalm, which begins: "He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust." As I went about my visits, I looked for evidence of goodness being expressed by all whom I saw. Instead of viewing people suspiciously, I would smile or warmly greet them, and I always found people to be friendly and helpful.

One day I went to one of these neighborhoods to pick up three mothers for an important meeting regarding their children. At the first apartment, I rang the bell and knocked on the door, but received no immediate response. After I'd knocked a few more times, the mother came down and opened the door. She said she was not feeling well and would not be able to attend the meeting. But as she spoke, the look on her face was one of sheer terror. I asked if there was anything I could do for her or anywhere I could take her. She said no, she would be all right. Before I left, I again assured her that I was willing to help in any way I could.

As I drove to my second stop, I thought of this mother as part of God's family, dwelling "in the secret place of the most High." I did this until I felt that she was safe, protected by her heavenly Father, and that she could feel God's love.

One of the other mothers I took to the meeting that day was this woman's sister. After the meeting, she asked to be dropped at her sister's apartment. The next day she telephoned me to explain what had happened. Two men who were acquaintances of the family had come from a large city downstate to sell drugs. They had come to her sister's apartment and insisted that she let them stay there. Furthermore, they had threatened her and her children with bodily harm if they told anyone of their visit. At the time of my arrival, in fact, the men were threatening her sister with a knife. They told her to go down and answer the door, but when she did, they apparently believed I was the police and fled out the back door. When she returned to her apartment, she found them gone and locked the doors. Then when her sister arrived, they called the police. How grateful I was for this proof of God's care for all of us.

We can trust God to keep us safe. We have the Bible's assurance "He shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways" (Ps. 91:11).