A parent's consent

My son and I had a daily argument. In fact the friction continued day to day and from morning until night. He wanted a car. I though he was too inexperienced.

Mealtimes became unpleasant. During breakfast he pointed out that if he had a car, I wouldn't have to take him to football practice so early in the morning. When we met again at dinnertime our conversation took up where we had left off.

"No, you absolutely cannot have a car," I finally told him one night at dinner. "I don't want to hear any more about it."

He left the table angry and defiant. The rest of the family had taken sides -- his sister with her brother, my husband with me.

Uncomfortable with the unpleasant atmosphere the argument had created, I turned to the Bible for an answer. I knew there was nothing wrong with taking a stand or saying things that ought to be said. Yet clearly something was wrong. What I really needed to see was that our son was God's child. When Christ Jesus said, "I and my Father are one," n1 "I can of mine own self do nothing," n2 and "Not my will, but thine, be done," n3 he was refusing the concept that suggested separation from his Father-Mother God. What I needed to do was deny the aggressive thought that either my son or I could act apart from God. And I had to behave on the basis of the true nature of both of us: a nature that includes perfect wisdom, intelligence, satisfaction, harmony, all reflected from God.

n1 John 10:30;

n2 John 5:30;

n3 Luke 22:42;

The answer came several days later, after many long hours of study in the Bible and the Christian Science textbook, Science and Health with Key to the Scripturem by Mary Baker Eddy. n4 I stopped outlining and began listening to god. Praying to know more of His power, I began to see that He had been available all along.

n4 Mrs. Eddy is the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science;

The next morning at breakfast when we discussed the car, we agreed for the first time in weeks that we could leave the problem with God. In a few days summer football practice began at six thirty in the morning, not the best time for me to resume my job as driver.

Still wanting to be humble enough to accept God's way, I turned to Science and Healthm and read, "The intercommunication is always from God to His idea, man." n5 Instead of discussing the situation with family or friends, seeking advice, I became willing to communicate solely with God, listening for His advice.

n5 Science and Health,m p. 284.

In the universe of Love there could be no unfortunate developments or strong willful mortals -- either me or our son. God knows man forever as His own immortal image, as the eternal expression of spiritual harmony. God was showing me how to change the direction, tone, and motive for making a decision.

Our son came home one evening a few days later saying that something had happened.

"What is it?" I asked.

"I've found a car," he said.

Almost at once I mentally opposed the idea. Then I remembered my prayer to listen to God. I was surprised that almost instantly I found I could trust God for the outcome.

Then our son told the family about the car he had found and the unusual set of circumstances through which he could buy it with our permission. I was almost amazed that I was receptive to the idea, and we had the first harmonious meal we had had when discussing the situation.

He bought the car, and I was almost as excited as he was over his 1957 Chevrolet. At this point buying the car seemed natural, and I was surprised when I remembered how I had opposed the idea. After a few happy years of driving he sold the car at a reasonable profit, and we both learned a good lesson in letting God give direction to our lives.

Jesus refused to give support to the ways of selfish human will. He perceived God's perfect man and showed mortals what that perception could do. In a small way I feel I understand better now what Jesus was teaching us. DAILY BIBLE VERSE I have no greater joy than to hear that my c hildren walk in truth. III John 4