There was much rejoicing in our family when our younger daughter and her husband told us they were expecting their second child.
Obstetric technology is so advanced now that a scan of the baby a few weeks later was incredibly detailed and we all marveled at the photo they shared. However a few days later they were called by the hospital to say that a possible abnormality had been identified in the scan and they would need to undergo further tests. The medical details were alarming and caused much anxiety and a lot of ‘what if’s’.
In Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures written by Mary Baker Eddy who is the founder of Christian Science there is a spiritual definition of CHILDREN. The spiritual thoughts and representatives of Life, Truth and Love.’ (p.582:28) and every time I thought about the situation I mentally claimed that this baby, this spiritual idea of God was perfect and complete.
We learn in Christian Science that we reflect God’s image and likeness. As we reflect His perfection which ‘image’ was I going to accept? The scan photo or claim the baby’s perfection as a child of God, perfect and complete?
In the Christian Science Hymnal there is a hymn that I used as a daily prayer when I was pregnant and found great comfort and assuredness in the words (Hymn 51)
Eternal Mind the Potter is
And thought th’eternal clay
The hand that fashions is divine
His works pass not away.
Man is the noblest work of God
His beauty, power and grace,
Immortal, perfect as his Mind
Reflected face to face.
God could not make imperfect man
His model infinite
Unhallowed thought he could not plan
Love’s work and Love must fit.
Life, Truth and Love the pattern make,
Christ is the perfect heir:
The clouds of sense roll back, and show
The form divinely fair.
God’s will is done: His kingdom come:
The Potter’s work is plain.
The longing to be good and true
Has brought the light again.
And man does stand as God’s own child,
The image of His love.
Let gladness ring from every tongue,
And heaven and earth approve.
Knowing the hymn so well I was able to sing it either out loud or quietly to my self as a prayer several times a day, claiming that this baby, this spiritual idea of God was ‘Love’s work’ and indeed God’s ‘noblest work.’
The whole family was overjoyed when a few weeks later the news came that no abnormality at all had been detected. My husband and I indeed felt that ‘the clouds of sense had rolled back and to show the form divinely fair’.
How very grateful I am for God’s love, his ever presence and for this beautiful demonstration that ‘Divine Love always has met and always will meet every human need.’ (S and H p494: 11)
AW July 2017