A Wide Horizon Mission

As I write this blog, it is snowing once again at a Mile High. Snow in Colorado blankets the brown terrain, brightening, refreshing and bringing a calming sense of being (unless perhaps if you’re a daily longtime commuter). Winter snow helps hearken in spring renewal. Sometimes we may watch closely for subtle signs of promise which renew. Other times we may see glorious symbols shine of growth on earth in God’s remarkable creation. Regardless of the season, God’s good work of creation is ever with us – simply focus on it with heartfelt gratitude. We can look for signs of love and joy expressed – the glee of children playing, the romp of a playful puppy, the tender affection of a parent for a child, the loving embrace of a friend, the supportive actions of a community. We can feel peace and freedom by viewing a horizon, a sunrise, a sunset. A small part of this remarkable creation is the wonderfully beautiful setting of Wide Horizon – on a hill with a west-facing view of snowcapped foothills and mountains.

For 19 years, and now 52 blogs, I’ve often pondered Wide Horizon’s Mission “…to provide Christian Science nursing, facilities, and support for those seeking healing accomplished through complete reliance on Christian Science as taught by Mary Baker Eddy.”

I’ve noted three words thereof that are clearly common to much of humanity.  These words are: nursing, support, healing.  A word that’s implied by these three is care. At Wide Horizon, we strive to work from a foundation of true Christianity — caring for one another with sincere unselfish love, with hope, faith, freshness, promise and spontaneity of joy. We are both careful and caring in our work at Wide, and we desire to acknowledge and feel the presence of divine Love while doing our work here. We care for one another by being willing workers of one strong team. Our efforts to express care in doing our jobs is appreciated by the guests at Wide, who pray and study daily, seeking spiritual progress and healing.  We desire to move with compassion toward others, as practiced and taught by Christ Jesus.

Yes, there’s so much good taking place every day. Through our collective efforts at Wide, we have developed into an even stronger team of compassionate, understanding individuals who have a common purpose – to provide the best services we can for those who come to Wide for tender, loving Christian care.

We often consider the performance of our duties in relation to these words – nursing, care, support, healing.  Questions such as these following, when genuinely considered, mentally help with our actions.  What qualities of nursing can be more expressed in my service to others?  How does my job support our guests?  In what ways can my thought add to a healing atmosphere at Wide Horizon?  What do I care most about while I work at a Christian Science nursing facility?  Am I looking for new ways to care for others?  Does the performance of my job support the Christian Science nurses’ role in caring for the guests?

The primary reason Wide Horizon exists is its Christian Science nursing activity or ministry.  The main reason this ministry exists is to serve any of God’s children who solely rely on our Heavenly Father-Mother God and Christian Science practice for healing.  Perhaps the most important reason any of us work or volunteer at Wide Horizon is to support this activity of divine Love’s glorious expression. Sometimes it takes courage and grit to show up when challenges become the focal point. Yet it simply takes the eternal light of love to shine brilliantly, transforming the challenges into opportunities to grow spiritually.

I hope that you too will consider these words of nursing, support, healing, and care in your thought as you let your light shine in whatever good work you do – be it as an educator, a delivery person, a tech expert, a business owner, a retail employee, a healthcare worker, a student, a mom or dad, or a selfless shoveler of snow!

Let us all learn, no matter the season or circumstance, as did Apostle Paul, to “…bring into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.” (II Corinthians 10:5) For this spiritually practical daily activity will help to lovingly care for others on earth — with nursing, support and healing for all.

D. Brian Boettiger