by Inge Schmidt
It had been a long Thursday. There had been a paper to write, an abrasive person to deal with, and seemingly countless other small things weighing me down. But in spite of a day’s worth of consecrated prayer, I crawled into bed that night pretty sure that I had made no progress that day. Close to tears, I closed my eyes to fall asleep.
As I lay in the silence, the thought came to me: “If Fed Ex can guarantee overnight delivery, surely God can do even better.” I had to laugh out loud. The more I study Christian Science, the more I’ve gotten used to feeling the presence of God. On a regular basis, thoughts come to me that are so clearly not my own thinking, that I just know they are Love’s angel messages. But this one was stranger than usual.
by John Biggs
It’s amazing how time has ceased to be an issue at all for me…every day is just so full. I almost don’t know what to write! Everything has been such a blessing, and an opportunity for blessing…there’s not just one over-arching story.
One thing I’ve been very grateful for is that while many sights and activities have been so new and breathtaking, I’ve really felt at home for the most part. I suppose that some of the things I’ve been doing and seeing are pretty exotic compared to my experiences before this, but it also feels very natural.
by Steven Cramer
It’s something you need when you travel to any country. It’s proof of your national identity. It gives you a right of passage. In a way, it gives you a purpose for being where you are. It’s your passport.
I know the practical importance of having a passport when traveling, but lately I’ve been thinking a lot about what that document really represents. Is it just something that is used when exploring foreign regions, or can we have a sense of identity, a right of passage, and a purpose no matter where we are?
by John Biggs
I’ve been in South Africa a week now, visiting with my family and working on my uncle’s ranch in the Karoo. On Saturday, my grandparents and I visited the Valley of Desolation in the Camdeboo National Park, just outside the town of Graaff-Reinet.
I was expecting a barren landscape, something dreary and empty to go along with its name. Instead I saw life blooming everywhere, atop majestic rock formations and in hidden little clefts, with so many colors on the rocks around. The sky had enough scattered clouds that the light came down in sheets and beams, bathing the towers of red rock and making the cliff edges look even steeper.
by Evan Mehlenbacher
My wife and I sat down to eat at a restaurant. An exasperated looking waitress jetted over to our table, a bit mindlessly gathered herself together, and dropped protocol for a moment while she uttered, "This is the worst day of my life."
I expected a dramatic tale of woe to follow, but after asking her what had happened, she replied, "My boss called me in early because he said the restaurant was busy, and ‘Look!’ hardly any customers are here. And then the dishwasher broke down, and I’m the appointed dishwasher." She disgustedly displayed her finely manicured and polished nails that had been recently pulled out of dirty soap and water.
