Some years ago a growth appeared on my abdomen. I didn’t pay any attention to it until it became inflamed and painful. At the time, my husband’s small business was in turmoil because of dishonesty on the part of one of the three partners. I realized I was resenting this partner.
Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount provided me with pertinent admonitions, notably all the references to the humility and compassion that should characterize our dealings with our neighbors. I didn’t need any more authority for this than Jesus’ command, “Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you” (Matthew 5:44).
I strove daily to look completely away from this individual’s personality, and affirm his spotless purity as a spiritual idea of God, made in His image and likeness. I wanted to be forgiving and selfless and trust God’s care for all of us.
A statement from Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy helped me see the unreality of sin: “Inasmuch as God is good and the fount of all being, He does not produce moral or physical deformity; therefore such deformity is not real, but is illusion, the mirage of error” (pp. 243–244). This strengthened my prayer for myself and our business.
I also called a Christian Science practitioner to pray with me. He told me that the integrity of God’s creation is intact. Merriam-webster.com defines integrity as “an unimpaired condition,” or “soundness,” and “incorruptibility.” And intact is defined as “entire” and “untouched especially by anything that harms or diminishes.” This resonated with me and made it clear that this maelstrom of business difficulties could not deprive us of our peace, security, or supply, as those things all have their source in God.
Before the crisis with the business, we had decided to take our sons on what we’d hoped would be our best family vacation ever, to a sunny clime for their spring break week. Though I had been hiding the growth, I knew this would be impossible on a beach vacation, and it surely would curtail my freedom and activity.
The growth became more swollen and painful, and one night I slept very little. Discouraged, I reached out to God and asked what I needed to know. I had been reading an article in a Christian Science periodical about a woman in a prison camp, and the word victim came to me. I realized I needed to refute the false belief that a child of God could be a victim—or a victimizer.
As I continued studying that night, I saw that God’s care for man transcends every mortal scenario; and the fear regarding our future finally dissolved. The next day the growth appeared the same, but I had gained a deeper understanding of God’s presence and power. This was more important and real to me than the physical problem. In the ensuing weeks the growth disappeared.
We went on the vacation and it was indeed our best ever, which completely defied the pall that had been over us for many months. I was able to enjoy the holiday fully and do everything I wanted to, including various athletic activities, in complete freedom.
Our business did end, but all our family’s needs were met in the following years. My husband found work he enjoyed that used his skills and employment experience. With significant financial aid, our older son was able to go to his dream college. And our younger son received a full-tuition scholarship to the college of his choice. Both are well established in their careers now, with no hindrance from this situation. Each of us has experienced God’s loving care consistently meeting our needs.
Sarah Grossman
Portland, Oregon, US
