Care for the caregivers

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Recently the former airport in the Angolan capital, Luanda, has been replaced by a modern, sparkling clean airport that seems to run efficiently, and even has a smoking lounge—a touching sign of progress. This is the first airport that I’ve seen in Africa (with the possible exception of the airports in South Africa) where smoking is not allowed everywhere as a matter of course.

As always, during these workshops Alessandra and I talked about the protection inherent in the public practice and in working as a Christian Science nurse. Readers of Science and Health may remember how the book’s chapter “Christian Science Practice” begins by referring to where Jesus exemplified compassion and love in the Gospel of Luke (see pp. 362 to 367).

But in that same chapter, the author illustrates that protection is inherent in helping others through Christian Science. From pages 430 to 442 (the final pages of the chapter), she presents an allegory in which a man falls ill because he has cared for a sick friend. But in the allegorical setting of a legal trial, the defense attorney, Christian Science, defends the man and in delivers him from a sentence of death.

In that same chapter, on pages 384 and 385 Mrs. Eddy writes: “God never punishes man for doing right, for honest labor, or for deeds of kindness, though they expose him to fatigue, cold, heart, contagion…. Whatever it is your duty to do, you can do without harm to yourself.”

I find it significant that in an 80-page chapter that is her most specific one on how to treat others through prayer, Eddy devotes some 14 pages to instructing the reader in the importance of knowing that doing good through practicing Christian Science brings its own protection. This is in contrast with the notion that by helping others you open yourself up to fatigue, burn-out, or illness.

In truth, which of the qualities of divine Love that each of us reflects is subject to fatigue, illness or sin? The joy? The thoughtfulness? The compassion? As we consciously reflect those and other healing qualities, we are completely safe from the popular notion that helping others leaves you open to suffering.

And now, dear readers, a final thanks for following these blogs. Visiting these twelves countries and giving workshops on the public practice and Christian Science nursing has been a pleasure!

By Lyle Young

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More blogs by Lyle Young:
How do you define adventure?
We found grace in Mexico
Animal magnetism???
Diversity and universality
Divine compassion and expectation
What does it take to be a Christian Science practitioner or nurse?
What’s Christian Science nursing really all about?
How do you prevent an earthquake?
Supporting your neighbor
Can you pray for someone who takes medicine?
Thinking about class instruction?