Have you checked your oil?

When I was growing up, a little chalkboard hung in our kitchen with a question written on it that never changed. It asked, “Have you checked your oil today?”

The chalkboard note wasn’t asking us to care for an automobile, as the question humorously implies, but rather to care for our thoughts and actions. It was followed by the words: “Consecration; charity; gentleness; prayer; heavenly inspiration.”

These qualities are from a metaphysical definition of oil that appears in the Glossary of “Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures” by the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, Mary Baker Eddy (see p. 592). This Glossary gives the spiritual sense of numerous Bible terms.

This was a daily reminder that, just as a car cannot run properly without oil, neither can we operate harmoniously each day if we haven’t filled our thoughts “with the oil of gladness” (Psalms 45:7). Spiritually, oil as described in the Bible can be seen as symbolizing the presence and power of God. Physically, oil provided light and food, so it was essential to a good and healthy life.

To me, each of those six words in the Glossary definition of oil describes a Godlike characteristic that blesses our lives and the lives of those around us. They became guideposts for me throughout my life, like signs saying, “Go this way!” Or, as the prophet Isaiah said, “And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left” (Isaiah 30:21).

I could see why my parents wanted us to “check our oil” each day, in light of this spiritual understanding of oil and its direct relationship to our happiness and well-being.

Once when riding a motorized scooter in New York City, I was passing a taxi cab that had come to a complete stop, and a passenger swung open her door without looking. My scooter ran straight into the door, throwing me to the curb.

That morning I had engaged in my daily consecrated prayer to God, declaring that infinite Love alone is in control, guiding and guarding all. More than a verbal exercise, I was aligning my thinking with God, which includes understanding that we are each God’s creation, man, made in God’s image and likeness (see Genesis 1:26). God is spiritual, not material, so each one of us must be spiritual like our Maker. The same passage in Genesis states that God gave man dominion, so as I started the day, I understood that I was able to express dominion over anything unlike God, anything unlike good.

And that’s what I experienced as I hit the curb headfirst. It seemed as if I were moving in slow motion, and I felt as though I had landed on a soft cushion, not hard cement. I was also grateful that another car was not coming down the avenue to my right.

Two young women hopped out of the cab and came over to see how I was. I felt no animosity toward them and didn’t want them to feel any guilt. They seemed deeply moved at being forgiven and said they would do anything to help me. I was already surrounded by a group of people who seemed to appear out of nowhere, all helping me in practical ways. I felt so loved and cared for, and I was overflowing with gratitude to God for my protection and for the outpouring of kindness from others.

An ambulance appeared quickly on the scene, and the paramedics wanted to treat my cuts and scrapes and examine my head. I appreciated their promptness and loving care, but I assured them I was fine, and that as a Christian Scientist, I expected healing through spiritual means alone. I was grateful for their respect for my wishes, and they remarked at how calm and at peace I seemed to be – which I told them came from relying on God.

I thanked everyone who had come to my aid, and one of them called my husband and daughter to come pick me up. I was able to move freely the next day, and all cuts and scrapes were healed solely through prayer within a few days.

Consecration, charity, gentleness, prayer, and heavenly inspiration had smoothed the way that day, turning what could have been a traumatic and dangerous situation into an opportunity to love, to recognize the kindness of others, and to be grateful for God’s ever-presence. These powerful attributes of spiritual oil are available to anyone, anywhere, and at any time.