Awakening to the Highest Sense of Love

My recent experience at Family Camp was fun: great outdoor activities, supportive staff and new friendships with fellow campers. But the most valuable part was the spiritual lessons I learned.

Being in a new chapter of my life — single and retired — I was listening for God’s purpose for me. Throughout camp, I cherished helping others feel God’s love for them. I included others in genuine conversations and in activities to ensure no one was left out.

My efforts felt nice, but something was missing in these human attempts. It seemed the effort was all on my side, and I didn’t really belong.

Through prayer and conversations with the camp practitioner, it became clear to me that I had been tricked into thinking others were needy, and I had to bring something to make them feel loved. I also was feeling sorry for widows, like myself, who seemed to be lacking without our loved ones.

A Bible story describes a widow who sustained Elijah during a drought, when the common assumption of the day would be that Elijah needed to support her (I Kings 17). Another widow found her needs met through oil that continued to pour when she trusted the prophet, Elisha (II Kings 4).

Jesus was able to heal the so-called needy because he “beheld in Science the perfect man, who appeared to him where sinning mortal man appears to mortals” (Science and Health 476—477). This right view of others freed them from a limited view of themselves. Jesus gave more than a shoulder to cry on. He saw others’ completeness, which resulted in healing.

2023 Summer Management Team

By Truth Johnston

Chris

Linda

Kris

Joy

I realized the highest and most helpful form of love was to see others as complete, perfect children of God, instead of lacking mortals needing my sympathy. That clear view needed to be the motive behind every act of kindness.

With this new insight, I was flooded with an impersonal love toward each individual at camp — and I belonged in that love. The rest of my session was packed with ways to love without pity, and I felt loved, too. In fact, there had never been a lack — now I could see my completeness clearly.

Christine

Katie

Sean Thornton

Steve

Nathan Gregory

Andrew Lambert-Cole

Philip

2023 Metaphysical Theme