Do you have enough room?

Bringing a spiritual perspective to daily life

Sometimes it seems there is never enough room. Perhaps there are no job openings at the company where you've applied to work or no slots at the school where you've applied to attend. Maybe the place you live now is too small for your family.

The Bible describes the frustration of such a situation in the second chapter of Mark. Jesus was visiting a certain town. People who were sick were crowding into the house, hoping to be healed. The Bible says "There was no room to receive them, no, not so much as about the door." One man was so ill, he had to be carried in on a bed. His friends, unable to reach the door, climbed onto the roof and lowered their friend into the house.

Jesus healed the man. The Bible reports: "And immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went forth before them all; insomuch that they were all amazed, and glorified God, saying, We never saw it on this fashion."

There is nothing in the account to indicate that there were fewer people in the house after the man was healed than before. Yet after the man was healed, there was plenty of space not only for him and his friends to walk out the front door instead of going back up through the roof, but to carry the man's bed besides, apparently without poking or bumping anybody.

As I studied this story, I made a list of all the things I could find that had happened. One thing, of course, was the prayer of Jesus. Another was a change in attitude. Prior to this incident the people were all pushing to get what they needed. After the healing, there was a noticeable change. The people "glorified God." They were rejoicing in the good that had occurred to someone else, instead of thinking only about what they needed.

I was studying this story partly because I had a problem. I had applied for a computer class but was told that there was a five-year waiting list. The class was something that I needed in my work. I didn't have a car at that time, and there was no other technical college within reach of public transportation. I felt frustrated, so I began to pray.

The prayer of Jesus had opened up space without anyone having to leave the room. So I stopped resenting the others who were ahead of me in this class. I realized that God, divine Love, meets everyone's needs. I was not in competition with anyone.

A poem written by Mary Baker Eddy, "Communion Hymn," tells us that God makes "radiant room" for each one of us:

Mourner, it calls you, - 'Come to my bosom,

Love wipes your tears all away,

And will lift the shade of gloom,

And for you make radiant room

Midst the glories of one endless day.

Christian Science Hymnal, No. 298

"Radiant room." When I felt frustrated, I turned to those words. Prayer deflated the push and pressure that I felt. Then, unexpectedly, I was introduced to someone who was taking the computer course I needed in a city 60 miles away. "You can ride with me if you want to" she offered, adding, "I have plenty of room." She was to become one of my best friends.

If you untie a knot, you are loosening pressure and making space appear. That's what prayer does. It unsnarls the knot. It makes space appear.

If you're feeling squeezed or crowded out, or if you feel your life is tied up in knots, prayer can help. You will find that in God's love, there is plenty of room - radiant, welcoming room, just for you.

Behold, I send

an Angel before thee,

to keep thee in the way,

and to bring thee

into the place

which I have prepared.

Exodus 23:20