| Seeking the Model for Human Action
by Patricia Ornett Brugioni
|
I love the continuous discovery of Christian Science practice. When searching  out the next step, I can always look over my experience and ask myself, "Was any of this my own idea?" And the answer is always," No! It was God's!"
When I first started Christian Science nurses' training, a simple thought was shared with me about care being God's infinite loving outreach. This resonated with me since God's care had found me and awakened me to the light of Christian Science. I saw that Christian Science nursing is an extension of this healing activity. The same loving light, comfort and rousing truth that had sought me out, seeks out everyone until all feel embraced and awake.
What a joy to reflect this total conviction of God's redeeming power! The seamless unity of God and God's idea has been shown to me again and again through the 'lens and prism' of humility illustrated by Mrs. Eddy (Miscellaneous Writings, 356:25-26). I see progressively that thought and action are one - there's no stopping point, no parts and joints - just one constant expression of God's enlightened identities.
My demonstrable knowledge of Christian Science practice unfolds as I first understand that I can do nothing myself. When I turn to God with all my heart and mind and strength, human will fades in the stillness of God's presence, and my thoughts and actions rise 'in the conscious strength of the spirit.' (Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures 390:32 by Mary Baker Eddy). Within this sense of oneness with Love I find the spiritual strength and affection to respond to the needs of others. This makes me think of that 'one thing is needful' (Luke 10:42), that Jesus honored in Mary. One thing! What a relief! So as we seek the kingdom of heaven first, all things work together for good.
I'm grateful that trust in God expands as I let go of a personal sense of responsibility and feel the confidence that I can turn wholly to Divine Love which meets every human need. This frees me to respond wisely, knowing God is the Only Giver and has an unwavering relationship with each and every one.
Private duty Christian Science nursing opportunities came to me without my seeking them when I first moved to Chicago. When this activity slowed down, I gave a call to Kay Fischer at Harmony at Home Foundation and soon started working there. Calls still came from the field and I found that I could fulfill my duties in both places. At times when I've felt the need for an adjustment, I've found the wisdom to say so and things have shifted harmoniously for everyone.
I'm also grateful to be surrounded by many fellow seekers (including my employer) who are willing to trust this listening and watch new ideas and unexpected solutions come to light. I love this quote of Mary Baker Eddy: "The best spiritual type of Christly method for uplifting human thought and imparting divine truth, is stationary power, stillness and strength; and when this spiritual ideal is made our own, it becomes the model for human action." (Retrospection and Introspection 93:13)
It's a joy to know I'm not in charge of divine order or government but am responsive to it. As I drop service to the many 'other masters' (Matthew 6:24) and serve the One Master, I feel at one with the harmonious whole where order is not a timeline of crunched commitments but an eternal sphere of "nowness" where all things proceed from the same source. An analogy of this is the progressive shift of perspective from looking up to the sun through a single ray of sunlight to looking out from the sun in all directions in infinite rays of light. Practicing this central stillness, we reflect the infinite light and activity of Mind. As the Bible says, "Be still and know that I am God[!]:..." (Psalms 46:10 to:)
God continues to show me how I must be receptive to reflect Him. It's good to know that wherever we are we can be silent and enter the prayer closet. There is always time for this! As Jesus told Peter, "If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me," (John 13:8). I need to withdraw regularly from human busyness and let the Christ wash my understanding of where I think I've come from or where I think I am, to reveal the stable footing of my unshakeable standpoint and purpose: to be free and to set others free from every form of tyranny.
Each experience deepens my trust in the range of God's love and spiritual resourcefulness, which fills us all with that "conscious worth" which "satisfies the hungry heart", (Message to The Mother Church, 1902 17:24-25, by Mary Baker Eddy), thereby meeting every human need.
Patricia Ornett Brugioni is a Christian Science nurse advertising in The Christian Science Journal who has a private duty Christian Science nursing practice and also nurses at Harmony at Home Foundation in Naperville, Illinois.
|
