The following posts are from a recent tmcyouth.com online discussion on how young women have prayed about chronic monthly pain. These selected comments are not republished with the Christian Science Sentinel’s intent to endorse particular views, but to give a snapshot of current issues young people are thinking and praying about in today’s world.
amyfworth
Healing menstrual cramps is something I talk about with many women who are Christian Scientists. I was wondering if anyone could share what they have prayed with in the past? I think it would help everyone.
Anna - Christian Science Sentinel, Nov. 5, 2007
My school days are jam-packed with activity.
Before the sun is even up in the morning, I’m off to school where I scurry from one class to the next. When the bell rings at the end of the school day, I hop in the car to get a ride home, ready for another schedule of events—sometimes soccer practice, ballet class, or a piano lesson, doing my homework in between. Even though it can be tempting to find the incessant bustle and buzz of my busy days exhausting, my reliance on God for strength and intelligence provides me with an endless source of energy.
Christian Science Sentinel, Nov. 12, 2007
Recently, Sentinel staff editor JENNY ROEMER spoke with ELLEN HAMMOND, MATT LAWRENCE, and LAURA FORBES’ three employees (all in their 20s) who work at The First Church of Christ, Scientist, in Boston. They talked about handling stress in their lives.
Jenny Roemer: We’re here today discussing how to handle pressure and stress through prayer. Let’s start off by talking about where we’re seeing stress and pressure crop up.
Laura Forbes: Especially being in our 20s, there are pressures out there about where we’re supposed to be in our lives, and what success means. I think there’s a lot of pressure on us these days to really have it all together. Society tells you that you should have a great place to live, a great career’and maybe be looking for a wife or husband, thinking about kids, and getting your finances in order. And that can sometimes seem overwhelming when you look at your life and think, Do I really have any of those things in the way the world says I should?
Matt Lawrence: That’s really interesting, Laura, because I feel that same stress. But as someone who is young and married, I also feel a different kind of pressure from my peers’the pressure not to grow up, not to have kids, but to be young and go out every night and keep up with that lifestyle. It seems that people our age are caught in this middle zone’like, “Well, are we going to act 20 years old, or do we need to act 30?”
by Estey Masten
Hi! I’m Estey (or Esperanza when I speak Spanish), and I’m the new TMC Youth blogger in town. I have volunteered to blog for many reasons, but the two most important ones are these: 1) I love connecting with other citizens of the world, and this blog is a perfect way to do it! 2) This is a great way for me to think introspectively about myself and realize where I need to go up higher and align myself with divine purpose.
Adapted from the Christian Science Sentinel, May 21, 2007.
February 1995. New Hampshire state championships, cross-country skiing.
After four miles of racing neck-and-neck through forested hills and wind-swept ravines, my rival and I entered the final homestretch. She sped ahead on the last turn. I faltered. And then it was over. Three irretrievable seconds would forever stand between me and the high-school title. I kneeled in the snow, hot tears flowing down my numb cheeks.
Mark Swinney - Christian Science Sentinel, Dec. 11, 2006.
I used to know a dog that would run constantly between two doors of the house whenever his owner left. Apparently he felt so much anxiety about the separation that he almost went into a trance. I’d watch that pooch run thoughtlessly back and forth, back and forth, and whenever I could, I’d try to play with him to distract him. This would only help for a little while, though, and soon he’d return to his mechanical running. The owner always came home, but the dog’s behavior never changed.
Noelle - Adapted from the Christian Science Sentinel, Oct. 16, 2006
It was my junior year of high school, and one day I felt overwhelmed trying to prepare for three major tests at the same time.
I decided to study for the test in my honors US history class first. This was not the best choice, because I knew I would struggle much more for my chemistry test than for history. But I pushed this thought aside and waited until the last minute to study for chemistry. When the time came to study for chemistry, I felt I would not understand the material, so I just gave up and decided to go to bed.
Jonathan B. - “Exams/papers/DOMINION!” part 2 (or “Exam Time”) has been reprinted from the Christian Science Sentinel, Jan. 15–22, 2006
Wasn’t sure which forum to post this in—but here it is: I was wondering if y’all would want to bounce ideas around on how to prepare spiritually for exams. Historically, I have found this time of year (now until mid-December) extremely stressful. The human picture—very little time to pack a lot of information into the grey matter in my head. Of course—in the divine sense, God supplies the answer to every question and need. For me, exams are exhausting and frightening. I know they don’t need to be—and any advice or spiritual inspirations would be greatly appreciated! (more…)
by Casey Fedde
Paper or plastic? For here or to go? White or wheat? Everywhere I go, I am faced with decisions, and with every decision I am overwhelmed with indecisiveness. But since I came to Boston, I’ve learned that these little decisions of everyday life—while they may seem huge at times—have been easier to make. While I don’t consult God on what kind of bread to use for a sandwich, I do rely on Him for constant guidance. (more…)
by Kate Wells
This past Tuesday was part of the One World Festival The Mary Baker Eddy Library is holding this summer. Basically, 300 kids ages 3 through 12 are bused in from summer programs in and around Boston, and everybody tries to avoid injury as they rush the crafts table and indoor fountain for three hours. I loved it.
My office was generous enough to let me take the morning to volunteer over there, and I was impressed by the Library’s finesse with the whole thing. They filled up that big beautiful space with arts & crafts, body paint, children’s theatre and book giveaways. Picture Dr.Elaine Follis, President of The Mary Baker Eddy Library, painting butterflies on 300 faces. There was a professional puppeteer who did everything from Aesop’s fables to Massachusetts geography lessons. (I’m not sure how that worked exactly. I think the tail of the lion puppet was supposed to be Cape Cod, or something. It was…interesting and certainly inventive. (You’ve got to admire the ambition of a forty-something guy with seven puppets and an electric guitar.) There were new books for each kid on their way out, too. (more…)
