Several years ago my mother and I took a trip to a country in Central America. We rented a car and drove through the countryside to various towns. We were keenly interested in the culture and handiwork of the people. A few incidents occurred early in our trip, however, that were quite disconcerting. We witnessed an exchange of gunfire between two cars driving next to us on the highway; later, an attempt was made to break into our parked car; an earthquake shook our hotel; and we had a confrontation with local officials when we tried to make an overseas telephone call. These events left me upset and frightened.
One afternoon I was overwhelmed by a high fever and an intestinal disorder, and I became delirious. My mother read to me from Science and Health by Mrs. Eddy. There were many passages from the chapter entitled "Christian Science Practice" that strengthened me, particularly, "Mentally contradict every complaint from the body, and rise to the true consciousness of Life as Love,—as all that is pure, and bearing the fruits of Spirit."
While struggling to remain conscious and pray for myself, the suggestion came to me that I had eaten something bad and was consequently suffering. I was also fearful that because we were in such a remote town we would be unable to reach a Christian Science practitioner to pray with me. My mother realized, too, that I was harboring resentment toward the people around us and was reacting to the unpleasant incidents.
