"Love is the liberator." The truth of this statement found on (page 225) of Science and Health by Mrs. Eddy was proved through an experience I had over a year ago. I was crossing the street and was about three feet from the curb when I was struck by a car. I was not rendered unconscious, for which I am very grateful, because when a woman asked me if I wanted her to telephone anyone, I was able to give her the telephone numbers of my husband and a Christian Science practitioner.
I asked to be taken home rather than to a hospital, and the police complied with my wish. Before I arrived home, which was only two blocks away, the flow of blood from the cut near my eye stopped, and the flesh closed up.
It was not long before the practitioner was by my side. My left hip was either broken or fractured, and I had sustained other injuries. The exact condition was never known, because there was no diagnosis, and I received no medication or surgical treatment. Only Christian Science was relied upon. I knew that all I had to know was the fact which Jesus stated (John 8:32), "Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." And it did.
In the beginning, the practitioner and I established in consciousness that man is spiritual, and the following statement in Science and Health was the basis of this reasoning (p. 14): "Become conscious for a single moment that Life and intelligence are purely spiritual,—neither in nor of matter, —and the body will then utter no complaints." Every day was a day of gratitude and progress. Joy was expressed through the whole experience. I was mentally active, reading and singing from the Christian Science Hymnal.
One night when I was lying quietly, my hip suddenly shifted into place, without any pain. At times after that I would hear and feel bones go back into place. At one time, however, I felt discouraged and called the practitioner. She assured me of the ever-presence of God and His encompassing love. One Bible verse to which she referred many times is in Acts (17:28), "In him we live, and move, and have our being." She also brought out the thought of God's law being the only force in operation to correct and adjust every thought and action.
One night I was sitting on the side of my bed, wishing I could sit in my comfortable chair. The thought came, "Well, what are you waiting for?" Then the account from the Bible came to me about the man at the pool of Bethesda who had "had an infirmity thirty and eight years" (John 5:5) and who was waiting for someone to put him into the pool. Then Jesus came along and said, "Rise, take up thy bed, and walk." The man was healed at once. This incident strengthened me, and the next day I stood. In three weeks I was walking without a crutch. I knew that, as it says in Science and Health (Pref., p. vii), "To those leaning on the sustaining infinite, to-day is big with blessings."
Before the healing was complete, I was asked to substitute in my church as Second Reader at a future date, and I accepted the invitation. I was grateful that I did so, because when the time came to read, my demonstration of healing was complete. Reading was a joyous experience. I was so grateful to God for my healing that I wanted the whole world to know of Christian Science.
I am grateful for this wonderful truth and for the practitioner who stood by me day and night. I am also grateful for the co-operation of my family and for the love and encouragement of friends. I am grateful for membership in The Mother Church and in a branch church and for the blessed privilege of class instruction.—, El Paso, Texas.
