Photo by DesignNaturale.com
Church. Just sitting there. Maybe even enjoying the look of my new sandals when the reading of Jesus’ story caught me. Unexpectedly. The one about those who left the wounded man on the side of that dangerous road. Specifically, the man who didn’t (see Luke Chap. 10).
Sure had read it, heard it, studied it, told it—yet somehow, at that moment, the idea of passing by on the other side pointed right at me… Read more
This is a such a beautiful analogy. And a wonderful prayer for our political climate.
by Janet Hegarty
When you travel through western Kansas in August, near the town of Goodland, you’ll see huge fields of sunflowers in full bloom. The sudden burst of bright yellow against the green landscape is stunning, but the behavior of the sunflowers is even more impressive. All of the flowers face toward the sun and move together in unity as they follow the sun throughout the day.
Against the backdrop of the current contentious political landscape, the thought of these sunflowers moving together in unity is refreshing. It stimulates hope that there might be a way to move beyond antagonistic, divisive political differences. Granted, the life of a flower is simple compared with the complexities of human existence, but I believe there’s much to learn about how we might establish harmony by considering the sunflower’s activity.
The flowers move in harmony because they are all seeking and finding the good they need from the same source. This is what unifies their actions. Their need for the sun is intrinsic. They naturally follow the sun, and their needs are supplied in the process.
Much political discord today comes from disparate points of view as to how the social and economic life in the United States should be managed. These conflicting ideas have polarized the country. This polarization has been so extreme at times that it has severely slowed the normal effective action of the government. Thinking of the sunflowers has made me wonder if there isn’t a higher source of good we could focus on that might unite us all in progressive activity.
During the summer, I often have the privilege of working as a Christian Science practitioner, or spiritual healer, at a summer camp for teens.
I just returned from this 2 week trip and it was an amazing time. The summer camp provides opportunities for sea kayaking, rock climbing, hiking, games, and connecting with friends. There is also a greater feeling of being at one with God and increased spiritual growth that happens during this time.
I’m always so grateful for the opportunity to be a part of this endeavor. And I learn so much!
One thing I learned is the spiritual power behind everyone praying and supporting an event together. Each morning we, as the staff members, would prepare for our day by studying the Bible and the teachings of Christian Science. The campers would pray about their God-given spiritual identity free from limitation, lack, fear or suffering. There was an expectation of good, protection, love, joy and freedom.
What a blessing it is to be in a mental and spiritual atmosphere such as this! The 2 week session was a great success. And when challenges did arise they were handled with spiritual dignity and resolved quickly.
I’m so grateful for the spiritual receptivity, childlikeness, innocence and purity which is natural to each of us, and enables us to see clearly Spirit’s harmonious government of our being.
Spirituality & Healing 