“How to take the T out of Terror & the U out of moUrning”
For a fuller answer, read, grasp and cherish each line of Hymn 207, “Mother’s Evening Prayer” by Mary Baker Eddy
“O gentle presence, peace and joy and power” (Hymn 207)
Don’t give up cherished landmarks and symbols of God’s control to terrorist attacks, whether on the September 11th scale or on the personal level of anxiety attacks and emotionalism. Although these attacks may enter through whatever gate is unguarded, and may vary in their severity, length and frequency, their ultimate target is always the same. Your joy and peace and a sense of Love’s gentle, yet powerful, guarding presence that “owns each waiting hour” are your most precious assets, meant to be permanently yours. What seems to be the toughest attack to handle is the loss of a family member or loved one. Here are some ideas that have helped me to face down this “king of terrors” and regain my joy and dominion.
Christ Jesus already took the T out of the Terror of death to show us that it’s just error, an illusion, and that man as God’s idea lives forever. As Mrs. Eddy states (bold added):
“The fact that the Christ, or truth, overcame and still overcomes death proves the “king of terrors” to be but a belief, or error, which Truth destroys with the spiritual evidences of Life; and this shows that what appears to the senses to be death is but a mortal illusion, for to the real man and the real universe there is no death process.” S&H 289:14
The T in Terror and Terrorist could stand for Terminal, the belief that good can be brought to an end, expected or unexpected. You can counter that lie with the line from CS Hymn #238 “For all of good the past hath had remains to make our own time glad.” In Dr. Zeuss’ “How the Grinch stole Christmas” all the Whos down in Whoville bonded in song to counter the lie that the meaning and presence of Christmas could be lost when the physical wrapping and trappings were gone. So, we too can bond together in supporting one another by rejoicing in the true meaning and presence of loved ones when they are no longer physically present.
Take the U out of moUrning and you have MORNING: “Light; symbol of Truth; revelation and progress.” (S&H 591:23)
Whenever you feel like mourning, remember that Jesus gave a beatitude promising you comfort and blessing. “You’re blessed when you feel you’ve lost what is most dear to you. Only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to you.” (The Message translation of Matthew 5:4 by Eugene Peterson)
Mrs. Eddy also wrote a verse of her Communion Hymn (#298) especially to help lift you out of mourning. (bold added)
“Mourner, it calls you. –
‘Come to my bosom,
Love wipes your tears all away,
And will lift the shade of gloom
And for you make radiant room
Midst the glories of one endless day.’ “
So, your day is not ending, but just beginning with a new, undiminished morning of freshness and the radiant presence of Love’s allness and goodness.
