One day, some years ago, a friend gave me a lift home in her car and drew up near my house to drop me off. As I was getting my golf equipment out from the back seat, the car suddenly rolled backward over my left foot. I shouted for my friend to shift into forward gear, fearing I would be dragged backward along with the car. But, in her panic, she shot the car forward and hit the car in front of her.
We were both terribly upset. I was disturbed at the thought that in doing me the good turn of driving me home from the golf club, my friend now had to sort out an insurance case, and her premiums would probably be increased. On the other hand, she was extremely distressed over what she might have done to my foot, having inadvertently put the automatic transmission into reverse, rather than park. Despite the pain and shock, I assured her that I was all right, and I limped into the house.
When I took off my shoes, I noticed a red mark on my big toe, and, as a heavy car had gone over my foot, I felt the situation was serious enough to call a Christian Science practitioner and ask for treatment through prayer. The practitioner spoke to me very firmly about the fact that my friend and I were both wrapped up in God’s love, and that we live in divine Love, the kingdom of heaven. In this atmosphere of Love, there is no cause but God; therefore, there is no cause of suffering of any kind. I was so assured by the practitioner’s firm declaration of truth that I instantly accepted it. It released me from the fear that any of the bones in my foot might be broken, or that my friend could suffer from her kindness. I felt confident that I could go on with what I had planned to do that day, such as preparing lunch and sweeping up the leaves from the front garden.
During the afternoon my friend rang me twice, begging me to let her take me to the local hospital to have the foot examined by a doctor, but I assured her that I was having Christian Science treatment, and that all was well.
The pain and discomfort quickly left. During the evening I continued praying for myself, and I looked up a passage in Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures relating to accidents, which states: “Under divine Providence there can be no accidents, since there is no room for imperfection in perfection” (Mary Baker Eddy, p. 424). I held to the truth that, in reality, there had never been an accident, had never been a time when I had been out of Love’s care, and that there could be no aftereffects from something that had never happened.
When I went to bed that night, I did not look at my foot. It didn’t seem important to examine matter since I had been praying throughout the day from the standpoint that my being was wholly spiritual, and I knew these prayers were effective.
When I went to shower the next morning, there was no sign of injury on the foot, no mark or bruising. It looked completely normal, and I was able to walk without limping. There had been a total healing.
Several days later I saw my friend again and showed her my foot. She was relieved to see that I was fine. Also, in due course, the damage to the cars was resolved harmoniously, and my friend was not penalized with increased insurance premiums.
I am so grateful to Christ Jesus for giving us the truth that makes us free, and for Mary Baker Eddy’s discovery of the Christ Science, the divine laws of Life, Truth, and Love, which she shared with the world (see Science and Health, p. 107).
Harrogate, North Yorkshire, England
