Good is always at hand

My first reaction was anger when I awoke to a torrential downpour and realized I wouldn't be able to visit a loved one. ''It's just not fair,'' I thought. ''Why did this have to happen today?''

As I turned to God in prayer to calm the storm within, a much-loved Bible verse came to thought: ''We know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.'' n1

n1 Romans 8:28.

How many times that promise had been fulfilled in my life! How could I think that good was not at hand and that this day wouldn't turn out just right for everyone concerned?

I thanked the Father for this reminder of His constant presence and love. I stopped being impressed by appearances and looked forward to seeing evidence of the good that my spiritual sense told me was present at that very moment, right where I was.

Quite unexpectedly a bricklayer showed up at the house to do some repair work indoors. A relative was overseeing the project, so I had paid little attention to any of the workers as they had come and gone on previous occasions. Today, however, this man spoke to me as I came out of my office, and we began talking about writing. He said, ''Maybe you could write my life story. It's very interesting. I was born in Russia . . . .''

Being familiar with Russian, I spoke to him in his native tongue. His face lighted up with joy, and he said: ''I have not heard Russian for over ten years! I am so happy! You don't know what this means . . . .''

With great excitement he told me of his family, the various places he had lived, and how he had come to America. He began humming as he worked, so I put on some records with Russian folk music. Several times he exclaimed how happy he was and how alive he felt. ''I left my homeland sixteen years ago. I feel homesick now and then,'' he explained, ''but now my soul is nourished. It is wonderful!''

In thinking over our conversation, which had been a pleasure for me as well, I remembered the final words of a poem by Mary Baker Eddy, the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science: My prayer, some daily good to do To Thine, for Thee; An offering pure of Love, whereto God leadeth me.n2

n2 Poems, p. 13.

I felt strongly that it was God, divine Love, that had brought us together that morning. In the Christian Science textbook, Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, Mrs. Eddy writes: ''Divine Love always has met and always will meet every human need.'' n3

n3 Science and Health, p. 494.

I later discovered that the person I was to have visited that day had been asked to work on a special project right after we had spoken on the phone. Because I had been unable to come, he was free to help several other people. Much good was accomplished, and everyone was blessed.

How important it is to be flexible and to acknowledge God's complete control of His creation! If we pray for guidance, and then follow God's direction, we will be where we most need to be at any given moment.

Christ Jesus proved this daily. As he communed with the Father, he was led to wherever he could do the most good. At times multitudes thronged him, but the Master always had time for the inspired thought and word that brought healing. Jesus was ready to help his fellowman wherever he was - are we?

A life based on unselfed love and pure affection brings untold blessings to all concerned. An understanding of man's unity with God as His spiritual offspring, and a recognition of the universal brotherhood of man, enrich one's life as nothing else can.

As we look beyond our personal concerns and take an active interest in those around us - striving to identify each person spiritually as a unique expression of the one Father-Mother God - we gain an expanded sense of family and home. And we often find that what we yearn for is right at hand.

The Bible tells us that God is Love and that man is created by Him, in His image and likeness. Everyone, then, in his true selfhood, is the expression of Love. Knowing this, we'll see that we do not have to go somewhere to find love or be loved. Because God fills all space, Love is everywhere to be felt and expressed. DAILY BIBLE VERSE The Lord is good to all: and his tender mercies are over all his works . . . Thou openist thine hand, and satisfiest the desire of every living thing. Pslams 145:9, 16