Several years ago I was in the dentist's office for a periodic cleaning of my teeth. The dentist called my attention to what appeared to be a small growth on my tongue. He suggested I have a biopsy, and his assistant took the liberty of scheduling an appointment for me with an oral surgeon, which I later canceled. I then set to work, praying to clear my thought of fear. In Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, Mary Baker Eddy says: "All nature teaches God's love to man, but man cannot love God supremely and set his whole affections on spiritual things, while loving the material or trusting in it more than in the spiritual" (p. 326); and "A physical diagnosis of disease —since mortal mind must be the cause of disease—tends to induce disease" (p. 370). These passages indicated to me that there was no need for a biopsy. This verse from Isaiah was also helpful and encouraging: "Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness" (41:10). God's grace and righteousness certainly do not include growths, tumors, or any other inharmony, or produce them in man. Nothing can be added to or taken from God's perfect creation.
Once while I was discussing this with my Christian Science teacher, she asked me if I would write a paper on world peace for our Christian Science Students Association meeting. This I agreed to do, as it is a subject very close to my heart. This work kept me spiritually active, listening for spiritual ideas. For a year and a half I studied and prayed, writing the paper on world peace, and praying with several helpful passages I found in the Bible, in Science and Health, and in the Christian Science Hymnal. All of this kept my attention focused on the goodness of God and on man's perfection as His image and likeness.
My face resumed its
normal appearance,
and the healing
was complete.
