I’ve had many healings since beginning my study of Christian Science at age thirteen, when I set out on the journey to understand God as an active and powerful presence that is as close as my thought. I’d like to share a few of these healings here.
Throughout my teenage years, what I was learning about man as God’s pure reflection guided my spiritual growth and helped me make sound moral choices. When pressured by boyfriends to get more involved physically than seemed right, I would reread the chapter titled “Marriage” in Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy, which gave me a spiritual perspective on male and female relationships. Knowing that I was taking a stand based on Principle—a synonym for God—gave me the confidence to say a firm but loving no when necessary.
When I was living away from home for the first time since college, I was playing a friendly game of soccer with coworkers and was kicked in the ankle by a guy wearing a heavy boot. The pain was intense, and over the next week I could not put on a shoe completely but hobbled around with the shoe half off. I was praying to understand myself as spiritual rather than as a material being, because I was learning through my study of Christian Science that, as Science and Health states, “Man is idea, the image, of Love; he is not physique” (p. 475). Still, I was not making progress in healing the ankle.
Finally, during the second week after the injury, I stayed home from work to pray and study more diligently. I became particularly absorbed in the book Pulpit and Press, which contains newspaper reports about Mary Baker Eddy, the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, and the dedication of the Original Edifice of The Mother Church. When I later looked down at my ankle, I found it had been restored to its normal size, and the former black and blue coloring had nearly disappeared. I was in awe! I remember having the strong conviction that understanding more of the selflessness, courage, and integrity Mrs. Eddy lived—and the deep gratitude I felt for her—brought about this remarkable change.
After I married and had children, Christian Science was my rock upon which to lean. One night my preschool-age daughter had a nasty cold. After putting her to bed, I prayed by affirming this sweet child’s innocence, knowing that nothing evil could attach itself to her, since God is infinite and only good and this leaves no room for anything unlike God to exist. I was reminded of the discussion of the holy city in Revelation, which says, “And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie” (21:27). I felt the tender presence of God, good. In the morning, my daughter awoke with no sign of the ailment. She wasn’t just a little better, or even a lot better—the severe symptoms had vanished completely. I was bearing witness to the allness of our good God, who knows only the perfection of His own likeness.
Some years later, while visiting friends out of town, I began to experience flu symptoms. We had planned to go grocery shopping for an evening meal, but now the prospect seemed unthinkable. My husband, who was not a Christian Scientist but had begun to embrace some of its teachings, asked me, “Where did this illness come from?” I responded, “Nowhere!” And with that instant recognition and acknowledgment that God, good, was everywhere, so the evil called sickness could be nowhere, I was instantaneously healed. Free of symptoms, I happily went to the grocery store and later enjoyed a normal evening meal.
During the time I was involved in a local theater production of the musical Evita, I was praying for healing of a lump on my back that had started out small but increased in size over a few months. One costume had an open back, and I was self-conscious about this visible condition. I studied passages in Science and Health on growth, including this one from page 68: “Christian Science presents unfoldment, not accretion; it manifests no material growth from molecule to mind, but an impartation of the divine Mind to man and the universe.”
I had learned through my study of Christian Science that the only real growth that can occur is in our understanding and awareness of our true spiritual nature and identity. Genesis 1, verse 26, points to this fact: “God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.” Further supported by this Bible passage, I reasoned that it was my divine right to have dominion over a lump that could not have been ordained by God, good, the only power, who had created me in His image. Since it had not been created by God, it could not be real. It wasn’t long before the lump opened up and emptied, and the wound healed. A family member who witnessed this healing was amazed at what had transpired. I was so grateful!
A few years later it was with alarm that I discovered a lump in one breast, which was visible in the mirror. I had been through trying times recently in many areas of my life, and this felt like the last straw. Right away I declared out loud, “No!” I also added, “Get thee hence, Satan!”—strong words of rebuke Christ Jesus used when he was tempted in the wilderness (see Matthew 4). This was my strong protest against error—against a devilish lie that God’s child could manifest anything but good.
In the Glossary of Science and Health, the definition of devil begins, “Evil; a lie; error; neither corporeality nor mind; the opposite of Truth; a belief in sin, sickness, and death;…” (p. 584). I was vehemently protesting against any power over me except Almighty God. I affirmed that I could not be tempted to believe in another power.
I contacted a Christian Science practitioner to pray for me. I don’t recall our specific conversation, but I do know that I was holding to the points mentioned—rejecting the lie of disease because God is the only power. Within a few days the lump was gone. This was over 15 years ago.
There have been numerous other healings in my family—of a child’s wart, a tropical illness, earache, accidents, relationship issues, and more. Science and Health says: “Emerge gently from matter into Spirit. Think not to thwart the spiritual ultimate of all things, but come naturally into Spirit through better health and morals and as the result of spiritual growth” (p. 485). Spiritual growth continues and gratitude abounds!
Marsha Rockabrand
Renton, Washington, US
