On a beautiful, sunny day about a year ago, a friend and I took our dogs for a long walk. When I returned home and began preparing dinner, I felt an odd movement in one kneecap. After dinner when I attempted to stand up, my knee seemed to have become painfully locked. I was unable to stand or walk without help.
I spent some time studying and praying with the Christian Science textbook, Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy. One of the statements I pondered was this: “There is no pain in Truth, and no truth in pain; no nerve in Mind, and no mind in nerve; no matter in Mind, and no mind in matter; no matter in Life, and no life in matter; no matter in good, and no good in matter” (p. 113).
Also, I began to think back on a recent testimony meeting at our local Christian Science church, in which a woman had spoken about a lost wallet. Her first thought in praying to resolve the problem was to acknowledge her innocence.
The wallet was eventually returned, but the recognition of her innocence was an idea that was most helpful to me. I declared my own innocence, knowing that I had done nothing wrong and therefore, under the law of God, Love, I did not need to suffer.
Before retiring, I decided to contact a Christian Science practitioner by email, as the hour was late. She responded quickly with an uplifting message about the naturalness of never being afraid, worried, or even startled. She also mentioned that we are never outside of Love, God, never outside of Love’s reach. This was very calming and reassuring to me. Considering First John 4:18, “Perfect love casteth out fear,” I lifted my thought beyond my immediate problem and began to pray to overcome all forms of fear, such as intimidation, reluctance to speak in public, worry about pending events, etc.
That night in bed I spent some wakeful hours contemplating “the scientific statement of being” from Science and Health as well as Mrs. Eddy’s spiritual interpretation of the Lord’s Prayer, alongside the prayer itself. The fear of continued immobility and pain subsided and I was calm. I was able to relax and then go to sleep.
When I awoke the next morning, I was free of the pain and inability to bend my leg. There was some stiffness, so I asked the practitioner to continue for one more day. Each hour brought renewed flexibility and freedom. The following day, I was completely free and so grateful to have mobility again. The difficulty has not returned.
Bonnie Dunbar Yoshinobu
Seaside, California, US
