My first healing through Christian Science came before I was a student of this Science. Shortly after my marriage I was advised that I needed surgery to correct an internal disorder. Due to complications that arose during the surgery, my mother was told by the physician that he had done all he could to save me, but that my lungs had collapsed and pneumonia had set in. At this point, my mother, who was a student of Christian Science, turned to the special nurse who was assigned to my case and asked her what they were doing for me medically. The nurse advised her that nothing was now being done, as they had no other methods to use than those which already had proved fruitless.
Knowing that I was now receiving no medication, which does not mix with Christian Science treatment, my mother then called a Christian Science practitioner and asked if she would help me through prayer. The practitioner assured my mother, quieting her fears with truths from the Bible and from Science and Health by Mrs. Eddy. She said that I was the child of God and that He was in absolute control. I do not know the specific truths given my mother, other than "the scientific statement of being" found on page 468 of Science and Health. I regained consciousness within a few hours after the practitioner had been called, and the healing came about rapidly. The physician who had been on the case said my recovery was a miracle, and he gave Christian Science the full credit.
My sister and mother had not been attending a Church of Christ, Scientist, on a regular basis, and had not been studying consistently, but after witnessing this beautiful healing they both began to study diligently and to attend church regularly. Later both had class instruction and served in branch churches where they were members.
Several years later, I began attending church with my mother and joined and became an active member. Often I was asked by friends who knew I had become a student of Christian Science, "But what would you do in case you were involved in an accident?" I always replied that I would trust God completely to heal me. Nothing of this nature had taken place until one evening an explosion occurred in my backyard, completely enveloping my right arm and hand in flames. This incident proved to be the "proof of the pudding" to me that indeed God can meet my every need. I at once called out to Him in this distressing situation, and immediately the thought came to me to lie on the ground to extinguish the flames. Neighbors, hearing the explosion, came running to my aid with various medical remedies. I declined these medicines and, thanking them, asked to be left alone, as I felt the need to be quiet.
I called a Christian Science practitioner and asked for treatment for this burn. The pain was so extreme I asked her to come to my home to see me. She did so at once, voicing many spiritual truths to me. One especially stands out now—the Bible story of the three Hebrew men who came through the fire, not even smelling of smoke (see Dan. 3:27). She referred me to the three degrees in Science and Health that relate to the translation of mortal mind (see pp. 115-116). The third degree is "Understanding." Mrs. Eddy says (p. 116), "In the third degree mortal mind disappears, and man as God's image appears."
By my replacing the suggestions coming to my thought—which had been voiced by the friends, such as possible loss of my arm, or loss of complete use of it and my hand—with the reality of my perfection as God's man, made in His image, the pain stopped immediately. Several times during the night when I awoke, I pondered "the scientific statement of being" and was able to go back to sleep. This statement declares, "All is infinite Mind and its infinite manifestation, for God is All-in-all." And the statement ends with these words: "Spirit is God, and man is His image and likeness. Therefore man is not material; he is spiritual." Often during this healing, fear would attempt to enter in, but each time it was put down by the above truths. Even though the physical evidence was not at all good, I refuted this false testimony, and the practitioner gave me constant support in destroying the fear. The healing was complete within a few weeks. My arm was restored to its normal size and condition, with no impairment nor lack of flexibility in my fingers, and no scarring.
My employer, who had openly professed to be an atheist, later told my husband that I had made a believer of him. He said that after witnessing this healing, he had to believe in a Deity, for he had never seen anything like this miracle. This was perhaps the most pleasing aspect of the beautiful healing. Upon returning to work, I was asked to submit my doctor and hospital bills in order that the company could process them. I told them I had relied entirely upon Christian Science treatment. They were amazed.
My daughter had many beautiful healings of so-called childhood diseases. These were further proof of God's loving protection and care for His children.
Perhaps the healing of belief in lack of supply has been one of the most outstanding I have known through understanding gained in the study of this wonderful religion.
Class instruction in Christian Science has enabled me to gain an even clearer realization of God's absolute ability to do all things. I have learned that the above healings were not miracles, but evidence of God's law sustaining and maintaining me and mine in perfect order and harmony.
What a joy it is to be able to share these experiences with others.
New Braunfels, Texas
