Sometime ago I experienced a healing of what appeared to be an acute case of bursitis in my right arm. For several weeks there was a slight pain in my right shoulder which seemed persistent in spite of my efforts to handle it as we are taught to do in Christian Science. Because of a heavy schedule in my schoolwork as a teacher, I felt burdened and tired and thought that during the Christmas vacation I would get a good rest and would be relieved of the difficulty. But the burdened sense did not lift, and the physical difficulty was not healed.
A few days before final examinations the pain became worse, and I was not able to go to school. I called for the help of a practitioner and told her that I felt a great fear that I would not be able to correct my students' final examinations. The practitioner quoted this passage from "Miscellaneous Writings" by Mrs. Eddy (p. 347): "God is responsible for the mission of those whom He has anointed. Those who know no will but His take His hand, and from the night He leads to light."
How much these words sustained me through the next three days and nights when I suffered severe pain! It was necessary to call the practitioner at night as well as during the day, and I can never be grateful enough for her willingness to help me at any hour and for the strong statements of truth which she voiced that gave me courage to stand through this difficult period.
I worked and prayed, striving for a clearer understanding of all the statements I knew from both the Bible and Mrs. Eddy's writings. On the morning of the fourth day of intense pain I talked to the practitioner, who spoke to me of God's love and of His allness and presence right where the pain seemed to be. I was crying; but I listened and after a time felt some relief.
I then sat on the edge of the bed reading hymns from the Christian Science Hymnal. As I read the line "O captive, rise and sing, for thou art free" (No. 412) I thought, "I can rise," and so I did. I walked the floor trying to sing. That was the last time the pain was severe.
I returned to school; but I could not write, nor could I use the board. The evening before the examinations were given, I could not raise my arm on a lapboard far enough to reach the top of an examination paper, but I felt sure that the healing was taking place. And it was, for I gradually gained full use of the arm and finished the strenuous task of grading the examinations on time. The stiffness left the arm, and I was able to use it almost normally.
Two weeks later I went to a Christian Science lecture and was so uplifted that I gained full mobility of the arm from that time on. But for several months I still felt pain when I moved it in a certain way.
Then my attention was called to Section 7 of Article XXX in the Manual of The Mother Church by Mrs. Eddy. It contains this sentence (p. 92): "I recommend that each member of this Church shall strive to demonstrate by his or her practice, that Christian Science heals the sick quickly and wholly, thus proving this Science to be all that we claim for it." I realized that I must claim the completeness and perfection of spiritual healing. A few days later, all sense of pain had vanished, and I was wholly and completely free.
I am very grateful for all the healings that I have had in Christian Science over a period of many years. Some have been instantaneous; but those that have forced me to study diligently, as the one related above, are most precious, for they have brought greater spiritual growth and understanding.
The privilege of serving in many of the activities of a branch church has also brought much joy and inspiration. My gratitude continually increases for our Leader, who gave to the world her divine revelation.— Highland Park, Illinois.
