Early in November of 2016 I began to experience intestinal pain. I immediately prayed for myself, knowing that this apparent condition was a lie about my spiritual selfhood, which is ever, always perfect. But the cramps and pain continued and were severe at times, and I had a loss of appetite and energy. I was able to do most of what I needed to do each day, which included praying for patients in my work as a Christian Science practitioner, and I was witnessing their healings.
After a few days of praying for myself, I contacted a Christian Science practitioner for metaphysical treatment. I am grateful for his steadfast prayer, which brought new spiritual insights each day and helped keep my thought uplifted.
Some days I saw improvement, but nights were especially difficult. I rarely slept more than an hour at a time because the pain and discomfort would get me up. So, I would use these wakeful times for prayer and communion with God.
One morning, I mentioned to the practitioner that the night before had been especially challenging. He reminded me of the definitions of day and evening in the Glossary of Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy. The definition of day ends with, “This unfolding is God’s day, and ‘there shall be no night there’ ” (p. 584). To me, no night in God’s day means no darkness, but rather the ever-present light of Truth, and that God never slumbers or sleeps. The definition of evening ends with “peace and rest” (p. 586). These facts were especially helpful.
Things came to a head the week of Thanksgiving. On Tuesday I found that just moving around the house was a great effort. My older daughter was hosting a Thanksgiving gathering to which my younger daughter and her fiancé were coming, and I had planned to be there, too. We were especially looking forward to this because we don’t all get together very often.
Tuesday evening, I emailed both daughters and told them I had not been feeling well, so would not be coming. Both expressed disappointment, as well as concern. My older daughter later sent an email titled, “Are you OK?” She wrote that she was concerned because I’m never sick. And she asked, “When does the practitioner call a doctor?” I assured her that a practitioner was praying for me, and that I was sure I would feel better soon. She replied, “Then I will be sure too.”
As the week went on, it was getting more difficult to care for myself, and simple tasks took great effort. Friday afternoon I decided I would tell the practitioner about some disturbing symptoms when I emailed him next.
Soon after, I was reading Science and Health, and in the chapter titled “Christian Science Practice,” I read this: “Avoid talking illness to the patient. Make no unnecessary inquiries relative to feelings or disease. Never startle with a discouraging remark about recovery, nor draw attention to certain symptoms as unfavorable, avoid speaking aloud the name of the disease” (p. 396).
I thought, “Well, shouldn’t I avoid talking illness and symptoms to the practitioner? And as the patient, shouldn’t I avoid talking illness to myself, and stop drawing attention to certain symptoms as unfavorable?”
Farther down the same page, I read, “Keep distinctly in thought that man is the offspring of God, not of man; that man is spiritual, not material; that Soul is Spirit, outside of matter, never in it, never giving the body life and sensation. It breaks the dream of disease to understand that sickness is formed by the human mind, not by matter nor by the divine Mind.” For the rest of the evening, I kept those points “distinctly in thought.”
That was the turning point. That night, there was a lessening and an easing of symptoms. I rested better than I had in weeks. In the morning, although still very weak, I knew I was healed. When I related this to the practitioner, he reminded me of Mrs. Eddy’s description of real symptoms: “Who remembers that patience, forgiveness, abiding faith, and affection, are the symptoms by which our Father indicates the different stages of man’s recovery from sin and his entrance into Science?” (Miscellaneous Writings 1883–1896, p. 100).
As I focused on these symptoms and continued to affirm healing, my strength and well-being quickly returned. I grew stronger, and normal functions and appetite returned. The practitioner was dismissed in the middle of the week, with much gratitude.
I was also grateful throughout this experience for the love and practical support of friends and fellow church members. I not only rejoiced in healing, which has been permanent, but I am also most grateful for God’s healing love and for growth in spiritual understanding through the study and practical demonstration of the Bible and Mrs. Eddy’s writings.
Shirley Jones
Glastonbury, Connecticut, US
