The Book of Revelation speaks about “a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, …and on either side of the river, was the tree of life, which bore twelve fruits, each tree yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.” (Revelation 22:1, 2, NKJV)

Certainly, many nations need healing. Many persons in these nations need healing. Many children need the “pure water of life,” nurturing and healing. Perhaps nations and people need a better, clearer understanding of this “pure river of life” and “the tree of life”? Perhaps most people need to know, see and feel the real Life that is God, Love?

Last week I mentioned the leaves of autumn. Well, the colors in many trees are changing quickly and leaves are already dropping. Yet, here’s something that doesn’t change and won’t drop. Here’s a thought that can bring comfort and inspiration to those with receptive hearts who may need healing.

“Every leaf upon every tree declares perpetually that God is Love.” This is a quote attributed to Mary Baker Eddy by William R. Rathvon, found in We Knew Mary Baker Eddy, Expanded Edition, Volume II, p. 541.

Now every time you look at deciduous trees filled with leaves, or maybe even if you’re raking piles and piles of leaves, you may think, or even say aloud:

“Every leaf on every tree declares perpetually [to me] that God is Love. Love is everywhere, and I am divinely, naturally and wholly loved.”

May the leaves of every tree be a symbol of “the tree of life” – of God as Love – to you always!

D. Brian Boettiger

On September 22^nd Autumn began in the Northern Hemisphere. In North American English, Autumn is also known as Fall and is one of four temperate seasons. Outside the tropics, autumn marks the transition from summer to winter. Autumn is about big changes. It’s the season when the duration of daylight becomes noticeably shorter and the temperature cools considerably. On December 21^st it ends. (Wikipedia)

As do a lot of folks in Colorado, it’s the season I begin, somewhat reluctantly, wearing wool socks, knit caps, sweaters, fleece pullovers, gloves, and warm coats!

Leaves on deciduous trees change color to red, yellow, orange, and brown. Leaves contain xanthophyll which makes the leaves look yellow and carotene which makes leaves look orange. It’s “fall” because of the leaves falling from trees at this time of year. And, with the sun’s warmth slowly fading away upon fall’s arrival, the climate shift also brings a shift in produce. This is particularly evident in locations like colorful Colorado. (www.kidsplayandcreate.com )

Like a lot of folks in Colorado, I rake, and rake, and rake too many leaves!

The English poet Keats called this time of year the “Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness,” as autumn is a season known for its harvest times, turning leaves, cooling temperatures and darkening nights. (www.metoffice.gov.uk )

Also, like many of us in Colorado, I miss the longer days of light, particularly when driving to and from work. Thankfully, I’ve always loved sunrises and sunsets that feed my soul.

Why is autumn the only season with two names? Well, whereas summer and winter are more stable concepts, the names fall and spring both derived from similar phrases that were used starting in the early 16^th century: “fall of the leaf” and “spring of the leaf.” These were later shortened to their respective seasonal names. (www.babbel.com )

Like autumn, I’ve two names: Douglas Brian, and have shortened one to a “D”, except at TSA checkpoints!

So, as we witness summer turning to autumn, we look toward cooler days and evenings, and the coming rains and snow that will refresh the earth.  This is a special time before the holidays here at Wide Horizon, and we rejoice in the evidence of spiritual progress marked by these days that offer the opportunity for quiet reflection on God’s glorious creation.  Mary Baker Eddy wrote in Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, “The periods of spiritual ascension are the days and seasons of Mind’s creation, in which beauty, sublimity, purity, and holiness — yea, the divine nature — appear in man and the universe never to disappear” (p. 509).

Here is a bountiful description of Christian Science nursing, — “beauty, sublimity, purity, and holiness” expressed in man’s reflection of divine Love. Beauty, sublimity, purity, holiness and benevolence are qualities of Love, characteristics of the divine nature. Gifts of such qualities in thought are evidence of Mind’s limitless spiritual creation. At Wide Horizon, we feel Spirit moving upon the proverbial waters of our good works. We’re inspired by symbols of gratitude and strive to do our daily deeds with grateful hearts. We hope everyone who enters our doors feels the impulse of Love and the presence of the Lord’s mercy and truth. The daily work in a Christian Science nursing care facility like Wide Horizon is often fulfilling but demanding work, and we are grateful to know we are working together with so many dear friends. It can be and is a holy ministry.

Mrs. Eddy wrote in an article titled “The Way”: “‘Physician, heal thyself.’ Let no clouds of sin gather and fall is mist and showers from thine own mental atmosphere. Hold thy gaze to the light, and the iris of faith, more beautiful than the rainbow seen from my window at the close of a balmy autumnal day, will span thy heavens of thought. A radiant sunset, beautiful as blessings when they take their flight, dilates and kindles into rest. Thus will a life corrected illumine its own atmosphere with spiritual glow and understanding” (Miscellaneous Writings 1883-1896, pgs. 355-356).

Now, that’s an autumnal day to embrace!

D. Brian Boettiger

Yes, today definitely needs you! Your best qualities are needed. Humble honesty is needed. Innate innocence is needed. Pure love is needed. Consistent patience and steadfast strength are needed. Tender kindness, empathy and compassion are needed. Faith, hope and charity are needed. Heartfelt prayers are needed. You are needed!

During the years in my role at Wide Horizon, I’ve often written or edited many letters and other documents for the Wide Horizon Board of Directors and others. A recent example that soon will be mailed to those folks on our mailing list is as follows:

Dear Friends,

We cordially invite you to attend the Wide Horizon 2021 Annual Meeting on Saturday, October 23, from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. This year’s meeting will be presented virtually at this URL: widehorizon.org/annual-meeting/.  If you would like an email reminder for this and future events, please sign up here: widehorizon.org/about/join-our-mailing-list/.

“Behold, today has need of you” is this year’s theme. The inspirational speaker will be Joan Hellmund, CS, of Fort Collins, Colorado. The following is a brief bio provided by our speaker:

“As an active member of a Protestant church growing up, I always loved the Bible, and yearned to better understand and live Jesus’ teachings. After learning about Christian Science from a friend, I began an intense year-long study of Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, alongside the Bible. This study, along with many patiently answered questions, helped me accept more of God’s unchanging goodness, and how to better understand and obey the truths of the Bible. It also brought an unexpected healing of a longstanding disease, and then changed my life and career path. Nine years of work in the Committee on Publication office at the Mother Church, active membership in several branch churches, and the lives and healing lessons shared by fellow members and patients, continue to inspire and open up new vistas.  The ongoing lessons learned include many healings my husband, Paul, and I have witnessed through relying on Christian Science in raising our two now-grown sons. Now living in Fort Collins, I’ve been listed in The Christian Science Journal as a Christian Science practitioner for over 10 years. I continue to marvel at Christian Science and its practical teachings that ‘with God all things are possible.’”

As in the past year, although there have been numerous new regulations and restrictions to navigate and implement, Wide Horizon continues to be a safe haven for Christian Scientists who need Christian Science nursing care. Wide Horizon also provides modest residential living on campus and continues to be a resource to the Christian Science community.

We are sincerely grateful to all donors for any contribution during this time. Regular donations in recognition of the importance of Christian Science nursing is important to the sustainability of Wide Horizon’s daily service to the community. The option of monthly giving to Wide Horizon is a great help. Every gift makes a difference!

In the words of Psalm 34:3, “O magnify the Lord with [us], and let us exalt His name together.”

Gratefully yours…

All are welcome to Wide Horizon’s annual meeting!

Now, back to the title of this blog. It is derived from the words by William H. Burleigh of a hymn in the Christian Science Hymnal. Hymn 6 reads as follows:

Abide not in the realm of dreams,
O man, however fair it seems;
But with clear eye the present scan,
And hear the call of God and man.

Think not in sleep to fold thy hands,
Forgetful of thy Lord’s commands:
From duty’s claims no life is free,
Behold, today hath need of thee.

The present hour allots thy task,
For present strength and patience ask;
And trust His love whose sure supply
Meets all thy need abundantly.

D. Brian Boettiger

Today is Labor Day in the United States. It is one of 12 federal holidays recognized nationwide by the U.S. Government, and it is always celebrated on the first Monday of September. “Labor Day pays tribute to the contributions and achievements of American workers. It was created by the labor movement in the late 19^th century and became a federal holiday in 1894. In the late 1800s, at the height of the Industrial Revolution in the United States, the average American worked 12-hour days and seven-day weeks in order to eke out a basic living. Despite restrictions in some states, children as young as 5 years old toiled in fields, mills, factories and mines across the country, earning a fraction of their adult counterparts’ wages. People of all ages, particularly the very poor and recent immigrants, often faced extremely unsafe working conditions, with insufficient access to fresh air, sanitary facilities and breaks. Labor unions, which first appeared in the late 18^th century, grew more prominent and vocal late in the 19^th century. Organized strikes and rallies to protest poor conditions began. Many related events turned violent. Riots and tragedies occurred. Many employers resisted, but were compelled to renegotiate hours and pay. The pivotal event which led to Labor Day occurred on May 11, 1894, when employees of the Pullman Palace Car Company in Chicago went on strike to protest wage cuts and the firing of union representatives. The federal government sent troops to Chicago, unleashing a wave of riots that resulted in the deaths of more than a dozen workers. In the wake of this massive unrest and in an attempt to repair ties with the American workers, Congress passed an act making Labor Day a legal holiday. On June 28, 1894, President Grover Cleveland signed it into law.” (See www.history.com/topics/holidays/labor-day )

In addition, the Labor Day weekend also symbolizes the end of summer for many Americans, even though the end of summer traditionally occurs when autumn begins – this year on September 22^nd.

Although many of us work long hours, often in service to others, it’s nothing compared to the hours, wages and conditions of the past; in fact, in the United States, all are far superior now. And, thankfully there are labor laws which pertain to children, who rather than being taken advantage of, instead need to be purely nurtured, loved and educated in safe, healthy environments. All of us can be grateful for those individuals who came before us and sacrificed to make changes.

Labor Day is a paid holiday at Wide Horizon, although during its 70 plus year history, many employees have worked this day to provide Christian Science nursing and support services to our guests and residents. Our operations have been 24/7/365 continually during Wide’s history. As a non-profit corporation, Wide Horizon operates partly under the Colorado Nonprofit Association’s “Principles & Practices for Nonprofit Excellence in Colorado.” These guidelines, in addition to Department of Labor laws, State regulations, and standards from The Commission for Accreditation of Christian Science Nursing Organizations/Facilities, are foundational to our operations as a not-for-profit corporation which also is a Christian Science nursing organization.

Mary Baker Eddy, the Discoverer of Christian Science, worked consistently and continually from a basis of trust in God and practice of honest business principles. As the Leader of the Christian Science movement, she astutely led with wisdom, economy and brotherly love. She was a remarkably intelligent and intuitive businesswoman. Yet most importantly, healing of sickness and sin was paramount to her many good works.

Mrs. Eddy also expected all students of Christian Science and members of her Church to be scientific spiritual healers. Her expectation is so important that she included the following directive to remind us of this on page 92 in the Church Manual.

Healing Better than Teaching. Article XXX, SECT. 7.

Healing the sick and the sinner with Truth demonstrates what we affirm of Christian Science, and nothing can substitute this demonstration.  I recommend that each member of this Church shall strive to demonstrate by his or her practice, that Christian Science heals the sick quickly and wholly, thus proving this Science to be all that we claim for it.

        We read in her seminal work, Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, that “Love for God and man is the true incentive in both healing and teaching. Love inspires, illumines, designates, and leads the way” (p. 454). I believe if we are to be better practitioners of this pure Science, we need to listen more closely to Love, know more of Love’s nature, be more obedient to Love’s direction, reflect Love’s light more purely.  Our Leader recommends that we strive (to endeavor with earnestness, to labor hard) to be better practitioners who heal quickly and wholly in our practice of Science. It requires that we sing the song of Christian Science, “Work – work – work – watch and pray” (Message for 1900, p. 2). Such work is a worthy endeavor and one that has no limits.

In Mrs. Eddy’s “The New Birth” we are reminded that: “The spiritual sense of Life and its grand pursuits is of itself a bliss, health-giving and joy-inspiring. This sense of Life illumes our pathway with the radiance of divine Love; heals man spontaneously, morally and physically, — exhaling the aroma of Jesus’ own words, ‘Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest’” (Miscellaneous Writings 1883-1896, pgs. 19-20).

Every day therefore each of us can strive to emulate our Master, Christ Jesus, who knew and taught that God is our heavenly Father.  We can work in Spirit. We can rest in the Truth. We can cherish our spiritual sense of being. We can recognize that this pure sense increases with simple acknowledgements of Love’s presence and power throughout the day.  We can embrace the many continuous moments of our oneness with God, Life. We can live and labor in the atmosphere of Love, breathing within the inspiration of Spirit.  And, we can heal from this basis of holy, divine Love.  Then we will see and witness more healing as the revealing of Love’s reality – revealing unto us God’s, Spirit’s spiritual, perfect man.

Scripture informs us that the Christ is within us.  This Christly consciousness heals.  Divine Principle, Love heals.  Our heavenly Father-Mother God heals. Let us therefore work together to demonstrate (to show or prove to be certain) Christian Science and live fuller lives reflecting divine Love.  Think of the bountiful blessings this endeavor will bring to you, to your families, to your neighbors, to the world, and to those we care for at Wide Horizon. This is indeed good labor.

Mrs. Eddy wrote, the practice of “Christian Science is not an exception to the general rule, that there is no excellence without labor in a direct line” (Science and Health, p. 457).

D. Brian Boettiger