Christian Science came into our family when a relative was healed after doctors gave up the case as terminal. Over the years, we have had numerous healings, including those of colds, flu, childhood diseases, tonsillitis, bee stings, animal bites, and sprains. Some healings have been particularly special because they involved severe problems that were diagnosed medically.
Soon after the birth of our last child, the physician who examined my son and me said one of my kidneys appeared to be diseased and that it should be removed within days. I thanked him for his concern and said that I would rely wholly on Christian Science for healing. He replied that he would watch for my obituary in the newspaper in a few weeks. Since I was raised in Christian Science and had always relied on it for healing, there was no doubt in my mind that God would heal me. Because of this doctor's obvious objection to my chosen method of healing, I first needed to see him as God's child too. Mrs. Eddy's poem "The Mother's Evening Prayer" was a great help and inspiration to me, particularly the words from the third verse, "Wait, and love more for every hate, and fear/No ill,—since God is good, and loss is gain" (Poems). I then felt only admiration for the physician, who was recommending what he felt best for me. I continued praying for myself with the help of a Christian Science practitioner and support from my parents and husband, who understood that I am made in God's image and likeness, perfect and eternal. Complete healing came quickly, and I have had no further problems in over twenty-five years.
When our oldest son was a senior in high school, he went to Germany on a school trip. There he slipped on a mountain path and fell, breaking the bursa in his knee. His German teacher took him to a hospital, where he was told he must have surgery immediately or he would have a stiff knee for the rest of his life. Our son called home and asked us to call a practitioner, saying he wanted to rely on Christian Science for healing. Once again there was no fear expressed; God loved him and would heal him. I knew that even though there were many miles between the practitioner and our son, God was omnipresent and infinite. I prayed to know that God created him forever spiritual and perfect. Nothing had changed. A hymn from the Christian Science Hymnal was comforting to me. It begins:
