As a career counselor at a job placement agency, I had two things drilled into my head: You would be considered for a job only if you had the required credentials, and you had to be among the first to apply.
What I didn’t realize at the time was how similar these beliefs were to those held by people described in the Bible as waiting by the pool of Bethesda (see John 5:2-9): The water in the pool supposedly had healing powers, but you had to be the first person into the pool when the water moved in order to be healed.
Jesus, however, showed a paralyzed man that healing was not dependent on being first into the pool or on what the water was doing. He asked him if he was willing to be healed and then instantly healed him.
Several years after leaving career counseling to get married and start a family, I found myself job hunting. One day, while perusing job postings, I found a perfect one for me: demonstrating electronic educational toys to parents during the holiday season. Over the previous two years, I had purchased a number of these toys for our son and made up games for him to learn more.
Then I reread the ad – and came to a screeching halt: I discovered that this wasn’t the first time the ad had run and that the job required a California teaching credential – which I didn’t have.
Rather than despair, though, I prayed to God, confronting the belief that being first – as at the pool of Bethesda – was the only way to land a job. Jesus didn’t believe in any man-made “rules” about healing. The paralyzed man was willing to be healed in the way Jesus was offering – and I too was willing to open my heart to the healing power of Christ, Truth.
I also had to address my concern about not having the required teaching credential. God has only good for each and every one of us, as indicated by Jesus’ assurance, “Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom” (Luke 12:32). Nothing can block or interfere with any good that God has for us. In fact, God’s goodness is expressed in and through each of us, because as His spiritual offspring, we reflect His nature.
This gave me peace. The fear that had hung heavily about me vanished. I rejoiced!
As I typed my cover letter and résumé, the words flowed effortlessly. It was all inspired by God. As Mary Baker Eddy writes in “Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures,” referring to God as Soul, “The influence or action of Soul confers a freedom, which explains the phenomena of improvisation and the fervor of untutored lips” (p. 89).
A few days after I applied, I was called for an interview. The hiring manager said she’d received over 200 applications, almost all of which included the required teaching credential, but liked the fact that I already knew and loved these toys – a quality she’d hoped to find in the person hired.
And, yes, I got the job.
After a few weeks, my manager asked me why I thought I was so successful at sales. I shared that my goal was to find a way to be of service to the parents and the children, and after I shared with my manager some tips on my interactions with them, she shared the ideas with our entire team, which increased their success as well.
Even with my salary and commissions, however, I still couldn’t afford some of the things that we wanted to give our son that Christmas. I took this desire to God in prayer, but I didn’t pray to get toys. Instead, I listened for God’s loving assurance of His ceaseless, limitless care and provision for all.
Right before Christmas, my manager called. I was stunned to hear that she was giving me each of the toys I’d been demonstrating! I shared the news with our son, who was very happy to give some of his other toys to friends and cousins. We were happy about being able to bless several families in this way.
When we are willing and open to God’s goodness, like the man at the pool of Bethesda, we – and others – are blessed.
Adapted from an article published in the Sept. 15, 2025, issue of the Christian Science Sentinel.
