I spend a lot of moments listening for God’s voice, divine Love or Mind to clearly convey His will to me. I desire to witness the healing presence and power of Love expressed and reflected at Wide Horizon. Often there are a number of questions that come to thought. Sometimes the answers come quickly; other times it requires more humility and patience. Also, I’ve worked for years to have more faith and trust in God. And, I truly have valued and continue to appreciate the excellent team of workers and volunteers at Wide Horizon.
One constant desire at Wide Horizon is to always improve and maintain a healing atmosphere here. I believe each individual is responsible for his or her own thought and therefore, when applicable, the verbal expression of one’s thoughts. A healing atmosphere or environment within an individual (or an organization) usually begins within consciousness. I believe it also requires each person to put God first and love one another. In general, if we are not respecting one another—thinking of and treating each other with sincere compassion, empathy and understanding—we cannot truly love one another. Certainly, as sincere Christians (or any caring human being), we are blessed when we obey the two great commandments that the Master, Christ Jesus, taught – to love God and to love our neighbor. To love our colleagues, guests, visitors, strangers, even seeming adversaries, and so on, as ourselves, in Love’s, Spirit’s image and likeness.
To live this purer love in our hearts and actively express this love in our daily lives and work will always bless others (and ourselves too). Such a healing atmosphere comes from consistently having one divine Mind, and then working from a foundation of Truth. To me, this is a right way of thinking.
At Wide Horizon, in addition to excellent services and programs we strive to provide, the guests and patients deserve the best thought we can offer. Our best begins with compassionate, good, righteous thinking. This righteous thought should begin with God, and be of the Christ within each of us. Those of us who are students of Christian Science should be sincere Christians first and foremost. Therefore, we can be better Scientists of pure Christianity by maintaining thought and practicing from this holy basis of understanding divine Love.
Among the meanings of “maintain” are: to hold, to preserve, to support, to sustain, to affirm. At Wide Horizon, we are here to offer and maintain a healing atmosphere for all honest or sincere seekers of Truth who desire to rely solely on God and Christian Science. Sometimes we here must ask: What I am holding onto that may dilute a healing atmosphere? What am I willing to mentally let go of in order to witness more healing? What can I affirm, practice and preserve? Am I doing my best to help sustain the healing activity of Christian Science nursing at Wide Horizon right now? Do I see this activity evident for all mankind and for future generations? Am I willing to mentally invest in the present sustainability and future of Wide Horizon – by whatever means possible or through my holy good works?
“Healing” or the “restoring to a sound state” begins with thought, which leads to restoration and soundness. Spiritual healing is the revealing of what already is present – spiritual reality and well-being. A healing thought often includes forgiveness and purity. Healing may require qualities of gratitude and thankfulness, joy and cheerfulness, compassion and love, understanding and wisdom, humility and meekness. I ask: Do I mentally cherish such qualities? Am I striving to express and live these qualities throughout my days and in my work? Does true humility guide my actions? Does Love lead me to thoughtful steps and comments?
Whether at Wide Horizon, in our communities or throughout our nation, it seems to me that the atmosphere we all can be striving to maintain is the pervading influence of divine Love expressed – of “Love reflected in love” as given by Mary Baker Eddy, the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, on page 17 of Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures. This atmosphere will be an influence for good. This environment will bless. We will see more of the healing presence of the “Christ within us, the hope of glory!” (Colossians 1:27)
Are we willing to work and pray together as brother and sister birds in one flock, soaring in unison towards the higher atmosphere of Mind’s harmonious manifestation? Are we always willing to assist our brother or sister bird in his or her flight or work? Are we willing to walk a proverbial mile in someone else’s shoes or perspective, in order to understand and love one another better? Are we seeking to see only the good of God’s creation? Are we beholding what God, Spirit has made? Are we striving to voice only testimonies of Truth in all our interactions? Are we working to love one another throughout our day, doing so with the cheerfulness of Spirit? Ultimately, are we humble or meek enough to do so?
Wide Horizon is the expression of an idea that continues to help and has helped meet many needs through its activity of Love for many years. It is a Christian Science nursing ministry. It is an environment of Love expressed for our community, field and beyond. If desired, we can rejoice in and join together in this important work. We can witness more of God’s work in what we do, individually and collectively. We can love God and love one another throughout each day. And, we can know that God, one Mind, enables each of us to do our very best!
Are you ready and willing?
D. Brian Boettiger
Thank you, Brian.