I received a phone call early one evening. A neighbor identified herself and said that my son had been hit by a car and he was being removed from the scene by ambulance to the hospital. She told me to go directly to the hospital. I asked my mother, who had been visiting us, to drive me to the hospital so that, on the way, I could turn completely to God. Before I got into the vehicle I heard the siren and realized the ambulance had not yet picked him up. I ran to the sound, and as I approached I was praying—acknowledging that no matter what the human condition appeared to be, God is everywhere, filling all space. He would guide each of our footsteps. Whatever the problem, the way for solving it was already prepared, and I could listen and follow God's directing.
What I saw when I reached the boy was challenging. The possibility of extensive injury, including broken bones and cuts, had to be refuted immediately. The men with the ambulance asked to have me removed and told me to leave the boy alone. I called to my daughter and gave her the name and telephone number of a Christian Science practitioner to call and ask for immediate treatment through prayer. Then I got into the ambulance front seat and prayed. I shut my mouth and opened my heart to God. I prayed to love.
When we reached the hospital, the nurses called the staff doctor to examine the boy. I asked the doctor not to give him any medication because we were Christian Scientists. I knew that Christian Science treatment would heal the boy. The doctor seemed quite disturbed that we might refuse treatment, because he was sure that there was a broken neck, broken jaw, possible fractured arm and leg, as well as a deep cut in the chin. He did not ask my permission to take X-rays, and I felt that I must remain quiet and watch for God's provision of good.
