Guest Post by Hyacinth McLeod
August has been my favorite month for the past twenty years as it is when my Association occurs. Those who attend any association know the refreshment that this day serves in our lives. During this gathering, all are wonderfully reminded of the truths of God’s man and of Life, Truth and Love. This year, the topic of my Association was “Thou shalt have a new name”.
The scriptural passages from Psalms 51: 7-13 came to mind often during the day. They read as follows, “Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice. Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit. Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee.”
Throughout the day, we were gifted with the joys of love, compassion, patience, understanding, humility and gratitude. What a comfort it was to observe these qualities being expressed among one another. The newness of God’s Love was so present by the end of the day! All were replenished with a fresh renewal of consciousness to take into the upcoming year.
When we look around us, there is always something new occurring. Here at Broadview, we are enjoying the sweetness of precious babies among our staff, as well as newness in management. These changes are giving us the opportunity to trust in God’s control of all. We can know that His direction is the helm of all right ideas and actions. These changes are great opportunities to understand that everyone is the reflection of the One, God, who is Love and to trust also that everyone is always in their right place. An acronym for the word “change” was revealed to me years ago, when there seemed to be much change occurring in my personal life, and it has truly been helpful to me. It shows us that we can see these sometimes unexpected happenings as a time to reflect, pray, listen and be still to “Create Harmony And New Great Experiences”.
Mary Baker Eddy writes on page 66 of Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, “Trials are proofs of God’s care. Spiritual development germinates not from seed sown in the soil of material hope, but when these decay, Love propagates anew the higher joy of Spirit, which have no taint of earth. Each successive stage of experience unfolds new views of divine goodness and love.”
One of the new golden nuggets of truth that was given to us at Association this year was the idea of “Aggressive Gratitude”. What a way to combat the familiar idea of “Aggressive Mental Suggestion”! I have found it to be quite powerful when working within my own prayers. I will conclude with a little phrase that has served a special purpose to me, “Every new moment is an opportunity to learn from the previous one.” As we read in 2 Corinthians 6:2, “For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.”
Hyacinth has been a Christian Science Nurse at Broadview since 2009, and became Journal listed in 2012. Hyacinth is also a professional model and small business owner. You may recognize her from the cover of the February 16, 2004 Christian Science Sentinel.