Ice dancing and life
A single mom finds hope, love, and a new path.
from the April 13, 2007 edition
Page 1 of 2
Watching a recap of the World Figure Skating Championships held recently in Tokyo, I was particularly struck by the ice dancers. The pairs skated as one, exhibiting strength, fluidity, and grace.
As the commentators remarked on how the couples had improved and where more work was needed, I saw my life as like skating. I am constantly practicing what I already know as well as working for improvement.
I've had ample opportunity over the years to do this.
At age 19 I married, thinking that was the path to happily ever after. But my marriage was like two skaters with different visions. When my husband decided to leave, I was devastated.
The Bible and the writings of Mary Baker Eddy became my practice book, coach, and choreographer. They helped me stay the course and develop a new repertoire as a single parent.
This became my daily goal: "Attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings…. Keep thy heart with all diligence.… Put away from thee a froward mouth, and perverse lips put far from thee" (Prov. 4:20, 23, 24).
And this injunction coached me to do my best and never give up: "Shall we ask the divine Principle of all goodness to do His own work? His work is done, and we have only to avail ourselves of God's rule in order to receive His blessing, which enables us to work out our own salvation" (Mary Baker Eddy, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," p. 3).
Mary Baker Eddy spent years in deep Bible study, consecrated prayer, and faithful practice. She could truthfully advise, "Wait, and love more for every hate, and fear/ No ill, – since God is good, and loss is gain" ("Poems," p. 4).
I strove to put away anger, resentment, and jealousy. I prayed, "What can I do to improve?" I saw that my goal wasn't to get someone else to change but for me to love more, as the poem counsels.
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