Brian's Blog - From the CEO

In his novel A Tale of Two Cities, author Charles Dickens opened with, “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of light, it was the season of darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair.”

Well, one could certainly make sound arguments that the year 2020 fits within this descriptive language in many ways. Yet, even with all the challenges, unrest, discord and hardship of 2020, hope does spring eternal. And unconditionally, divine Love does overcome and heal. Thus, Wide Horizon continues its good work of benevolent Christian Science nursing for our community and mankind. Yes, this is a season of light and love!

The discoverer and founder of Christian Science, Mary Baker Eddy, extemporaneously wrote the following on the morning of January 1, 1910:

I
O blessings infinite!
O glad New Year!
Sweet sign and substance
Of God’s presence here.

II
Give us not only angels’ songs,
But Science vast, to which belongs
The tongue of angels
And the song of songs.

MARY BAKER EDDY

(The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Miscellany, p. 354)

We here at Wide Horizon desire that you may feel God’s holy presence and hear Spirit’s angelic song of Science whomever and wherever you are throughout this New Year!

May the good will and peace promised by our Lord Jesus Christ be with you today and always!

The following speaks to me of the simplicity of the spirit of Christ at Christmas: “The spirit of Christmas is joy.  The message of Christmas is hope.  The meaning of Christmas is love.”

At Wide Horizon many of the spaces are festively and colorfully decorated. Uplifting inspirational messages of joy, hope and love have been place throughout the main building. Wonderful good works are performed daily at Wide Horizon.  We pause during our active days here to give gratitude for the continual blessings we receive, including those that come to us from being in selfless service to others.

The world wouldn’t have Christian Science nursing care facilities like Wide Horizon if it were not for the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, Mary Baker Eddy.

Mrs. Eddy practiced Christian care throughout her life. She loved and followed Christ Jesus in thought and deed.  So, I’d like to share an excerpt from one of her writings about the Christmas season.

The following is from “The Significance of Christmas” (The First Church of Christ, Scientist and Miscellany, pp. 259 – 260):

The basis of Christmas is the rock, Christ Jesus; its fruits are inspiration and spiritual understanding of joy and rejoicing…because of fundamental and demonstrable truth, because of the heaven within us.  The basis of Christmas is love loving its enemies, returning good for evil, love that ‘suffereth long, and is kind.’  The true spirit of Christmas elevates medicine to Mind; it casts out evils, heals the sick, raises the dormant faculties, appeals to all conditions, and supplies every need of man.  It leaves hygiene, medicine, ethics, and religion to God and His Christ, to that which is the Way, in word and in deed, — the Way, the Truth, and the Life.

My wish for each of you is that you stand securely on the rock of Christ Jesus during this season of joy, hope, and love –rejoicing in the affluence of our heavenly Father-Mother God and the blessed gift of the Christ.

For much of my life one of my favorite scriptural quotes is from The Book of Proverbs. It reads:

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding: In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct [make smooth or make straight] your paths” (NKJV, Prov. 3:5, 6).

There have been times when I have truly trusted God and the results have been smooth and peaceful. At other times, I’ve taken more human steps or listened to human opinions, while I then navigated and avoided the proverbial potholes of human experience of an arduous path.

The early founders of the United States of America had paths to decide upon and follow. Among them was John Jay, the First Chief Justice of the Supreme Court wrote, “The Bible is the best of all books, for it is the word of God and teaches us the way to be happy in this world and in the next. Continue therefore to read it and to regulate your life by its precepts.” And his colleague, James Wilson, Original Justice on the Supreme Court, stated, “Human law must rest its authority ultimately upon the authority of that which is Divine.”

I recently read this again: “The more we can rely on each other, the higher we can set our sights.” This statement may be true, but I believe it is better if one and all rely first on God to ultimately see the unlimited nature of spiritual sight. I trust if we seek to see more of what God sees of His spiritual creation, we too will see and experience more goodness brought to light.

At Wide Horizon, it is desired that all staff members strive to practice lovingkindness and spiritual thinking.  No matter what the job is at Wide Horizon, there is daily recognition of Wide Horizon’s primary purpose of Christian Science nursing. And, all team members should freely rely on one another when necessary, for this is loving one another. In enterprises such as athletics, business, education, and healthcare, teamwork is often essential to the attainment of goals, to the success of an endeavor.

Our primary goal at Wide Horizon is the care of and service unto others in need.  Ultimately, we seek spiritual healing. We witness this as we affirm the palpable presence and power of God’s, divine Love’s presence and power.  It is through trusting God with all one’s heart, seeking to understand His creation and listening to Him for daily direction in our activities.

Mary Baker Eddy wrote, “Step by step will those who trust Him find that ‘God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.’” (Science & Health with Key to the Scriptures, p. 444)

Today (December 7) in the United States is Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day. My dad served our country in several wars as an officer in the US Army, including WWII as a young soldier. So, today I think fondly of him and appreciatively of all the veterans who strove for freedom and peace.

In the Gospel of John, Christ Jesus promised, “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world gives, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” (John 14:27)

I believe Christ Jesus knew the ultimate presence of peace must be from God. In his acknowledgement of our heavenly Father as all-powerful, Jesus, our “Way-shower” (Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, Mary Baker Eddy), walked untouched through mobs that wanted to harm him, he stilled storms, and he even remained fearless when he was abandoned by friends and followers before being subsequently persecuted. Yet he steadfastly demonstrated the presence and power of peace and love toward all. Jesus showed us the way!

We too can feel the effect of Christly peace if we turn wholeheartedly to God at this time of worldly confusion. It is the promised peace of Christ that is ever with us. Together let us acknowledge the source of peace that is not of mankind’s making but of divine Love. Let us also know, no matter what shouts for attention, that Christ’s promised peace is ever with all of God’s children and His creation throughout this beautiful planet.

This week and every day, let us seek opportunities to pray as Christ Jesus showed us, knowing that “with God all things are possible.” (Mark 10:27) Indeed, all of God’s children can dwell together in peace as more of His sons and daughters acknowledge and confirm that the kingdom of heaven is within and reigns.  Let us also acknowledge that “the leaves of the tree [of life are] for the healing of nations.” (Revelation 22:2) And let us remember, in the words of our Master, that when we declare, “Peace, be still” to the storms of erroneous news or aggressive suggestions, and then yield wholeheartedly to divine Love, all shouts of error can be silenced. Then may we see only Love’s work in action. 

With heartfelt gratitude I extend my appreciation for each of you as we strive together in doing good works and having only good thoughts. And, thank you for supporting all good works, including Christian Science nursing, taking place daily throughout the world. 

From all of us at Wide Horizon, may you experience and share peace!