'Lessons of divine love can sustain us for a lifetime'
by Ginny Nilsen
Eugene, Oregon May 2, 2009
Thirty-eight dollars to my name; less than half a tank of gas; some dry staples for food; unemployed; and the rent overdue.
However (and this is a big however), I had been studying the book “Science & Health With Key to the Scriptures” by Mary Baker Eddy for more than a year and I had begun to see that God is life itself and, as God’s child and likeness, my life had to be eternally and infinitely good as well.
I reasoned, if God is my life and eternal parent, I am completely loved and cared for and I can’t be threatened by theories of fear or lack. I felt myself awaking to the truth of Christ Jesus’ teachings: “The kingdom of heaven is here and within you right now” and “You shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free.”
The days unfolded with résumé writing, job interviews, and God’s love palpably felt. A Christian Science practitioner was prayerfully supporting me and she told me, “With your God-given Christly qualities, everyone would want to hire you.” I also spent each day as if the job search were my actual work. I would pray and study the Christian Science Bible lesson in the early morning and read Christian Science magazines at night.
One day, when I heard a knock at my door, I opened it to see a car driving off and a cardboard box on my doorstep. I was so grateful to find things such as unopened caviar, crackers, sardines and nuts inside. A note thanked me for what had been learned in a class I had taught and wanted me to have unused holiday items as a thank-you.
Another time, friends gave me some canned fruits and vegetables I had helped them harvest. Then the fellow next door, who appeared to be a loner and unable to speak easily, knocked on my door with about 10 totally black bananas.
“I don’ wan’ ’em,” he mumbled.
I asked, “What happened?” He said, “Refrigerator.” He shoved them at me and left. When I peeled one, it was perfectly fine. I had banana pancakes that night for dinner.
These examples of un expected supply, and the generosity of my landlord to postpone rent payments until I was employed full time, supported my growing trust in God. I was hired for a well-paying job when I inadvertently took the wrong résumé to a job interview for a minimum wage. The résumé included my previous career and the company hired me based on that résumé.
It’s been 30 years now and the spiritual truths and lessons about God’s unconditional love and protection that I learned then have continued to supply me with everything I need.
Inspiration, happiness and a wealth of blessings have come to me and my family as I hold to an understanding of God’s ever-present and all-powerful good that can always be experienced.
I found out what Mary Baker Eddy wrote is true: “Divine love always has met and always will meet every human need.”