ONE EVENING in December 2007, I pulled a bubbling chicken casserole out of the oven. As I set the hot dish down on the counter, the boiling gravy splashed and covered my entire forearm and back of my hand. Immediately I thought, "There is no sensation in matter," a phrase from Science and Health (p. 237). I quickly wiped off my arm and hand and wrapped them in gauze so I wouldn't have to look at the severity of the condition. Then I thought: What happens if I feel pain? As soon as I thought that, the pain started. Next thought: What happens if it's third-degree burns? Then the symptoms of third-degree burns started to appear. (The gauze kept slipping down so I couldn't help but see the condition of my arm and hand as I adjusted the gauze).
I sat down for a moment and thought, I had no pain until I wondered about the pain, and I had no symptoms of a burn until I thought about it. Well, that kind of thinking needs to stop now! It had been almost 20 years since I had spoken to a Christian Science practitioner—not because I was healing myself on my own, but because I had stepped aside from the path of Christian Science practice for many years. Having been raised in Christian Science, I had decided to leave it because I felt that it took too much effort to practice it. It was just easier to go with the flow. Granted, I didn't use medical care either, except one or two times for minor problems, but the results were never what I would call complete healing like I remembered having in Christian Science while growing up. But when that boiling sauce splashed onto my arm, what was the first thought that came to mind? A phrase from Science and Health!
So I called a practitioner who encouraged me to continue with my initial affirmation about matter having no sensation. We discussed the fact that a burn or any effects from a burn had no reality in God's creation. I could either believe that a bad result could manifest itself in matter or I could experience healing by applying what I knew in Christian Science. I chose the latter, and began praying with ideas from "the scientific statement of being" in Science and Health (see p. 468), which I knew so well from my earlier connection with Christian Science. The pain went away immediately. Although some symptoms of a third-degree burn were still apparent, I continued in my prayer, including the affirmation that there also didn't have to be scarring.
At one point that day, I read this statement in Retrospection and Introspection by Mary Baker Eddy: "Science saith to fear, You are the cause of all sickness; but you are a self-constituted constituted falsity,—you are darkness, nothingness. You are without 'hope, and without God in the world.' You do not exist, and have no right toexist, for 'perfect Love casteth out fear'" (p. 61). After reading that passage, I knew that this healing would be 100 percent complete!
In the morning when I removed the gauze, I noticed that the evidence of third-degree burns were gone. And within a few days, all signs of the burn had disappeared—leaving no scar or any mark whatsoever.
I called the practitioner to share the good news of this healing. During our conversation, I asked her about how I could get back into Christian Science. She shared many helpful ideas with me. Within six months, I relocated to Minneapolis, where I joined an incredibly active and loving branch church. I also joined The Mother Church, completed primary class instruction, and am now helping others through Christian Science treatment.
I am so grateful for Christian Science and the peace, joy, and healing it has brought back into my life.
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA, US
