Thank you for this post. Excellent points to contemplate and work toward!

In “Taking Offense” from page 224 of Miscellaneous Writings, Mary Baker Eddy wrote, “…we should go forth into life with the smallest expectations, but with the largest patience;” With having just studied this article, it was fresh on my thought and the Shunammite woman’s words showed that she demonstrated this constantly.

I also feel that this story shows that her living all of the other traits that Mrs. Eddy listed in the remainder of that paragraph (her words in bold): “…with a keen relish for and appreciation of everything beautiful, great, and good, [It was her own spiritual sense that recognized and appreciated this “holy man of God”] but with a temper so genial that the friction of the world shall not wear upon our sensibilities; [Telling her husband “It shall be well” when she left to find Elisha, despite the human mind screaming otherwise] with an equanimity so settled that no passing breath nor accidental disturbance shall agitate or ruffle it; [Saying “It is well” to Gehazi, Elisha’s servant, instead of lashing out in anger and frustration at him] with a charity broad enough to cover the whole world’s evil, and sweet enough to neutralize what is bitter in it, [She offered bread and place to stay for Elisha without seeking reward, this must have been such a different thought for him to encounter.] — determined not to be offended when no wrong is meant, nor even when it is, unless the offense be against God.” [She knew it must have been an offense against God, against Life, that her son was in such a state, and so went to Elisha demanding that this blessing remain a blessing. As we learn to work with in our watches, there is no reversal of good! Then, once her son was healed, she held no negative thought toward Elisha, but “fell at his feet, and bowed herself to the ground.” Her “smallest expectations” were that God would provide what was right and good, and, of course, He always does.]

Thank you for this lesson!