THIS PAST WINTER, an accumulation of physical problems suddenly became overwhelming. I called a Christian Science practitioner for prayerful support and told him that I felt like Job in the Bible—that everything was crashing down on me, and the only good thing I could say was that I knew that Job had overcome his severe trials through a clearer understanding of his relationship to God. Job's story encouraged me that I, too, could be healed.
The challenges began in late October, when a growth suddenly appeared above my eye. The practitioner and I were praying together, but the growth was growing bigger and more unsightly.
Then, in early November, my dog was running to chase a ball when she caught her leg in a hole containing a sprinkler valve. She came back to me with a severe limp. I prayed for her for a couple of days, but when there was no improvement, I took her to a veterinarian, who said that she had torn ligaments in her knee, and she would require surgery. I asked if the surgery could wait a few weeks as I wasn't in my hometown at the time. The vet said that if I kept the dog quiet, the operation could wait until I returned home. I was grateful for this time to continue praying for her complete healing.
