High-school girl healed of injuries from fall

A HEALING I HAD AT CAMP last summer made me realize just how quickly and completely God heals. One Friday morning, my riding class took a trail ride. We were just beginning to pick up the pace a little and start cantering, when my horse spooked. I don't know why he did this, but, in a flash, I flew over his head and landed on my left shoulder. Although I was wearing a helmet, it broke when I was kicked in the head while I was underneath the horse. As I lay on the ground, with a mouthful of dirt and the wind knocked out of me, a hymn came to mind. I began singing it in my head, and concentrating only on the words instead on the pain in my body. This is how it goes:

I was taken to be cleaned up. I then called a Christian Science practitioner and my mother. I really don't remember what healing ideas were given to me that day, but I made sure to fill up with only God's thoughts. I knew that it was very important to quiet my fear, as well as the concern that everyone around me was expressing. I knew that the first step to a healing was destroying fear and doubt. This was a challenge, since I kept thinking about all of the fun activities that I would miss.

As I walked down to the dining hall for lunch, I saw my little sister walking toward me, her face scrunched up in worry. I assured her that I was fine, and decided right then that I wouldn't play into the pity my friends and fellow campers were giving me. The attention was nice, but not nice enough to make me want to live with the injury.

Before lunch I walked up to the barn to see if the horse was OK. It was just fine. I don't remember feeling any anger toward this great animal. It was a beautiful, graceful, strong expression of God and was capable of expressing only those qualities.

The next day, although I had a sling around my arm, I participated in every activity. By the time of my riding class, I didn't need to wear the sling anymore. I didn't ride with the rest of the class that day, but after class, I rode around the ring for a little while. Learning completely on God's care, I felt confident, secure, and safe. It felt wonderful to express so much life an energy!

Over the next couple of days, healing was rapid. Each morning I had one less bandage to wear. However, I was crushed that I wasn't able to go on the three-day hike my friends and I had been anticipating since the beginning of camp. I was also mad at myself, because I felt that I should have been completely healed by now. It was really hard to watch my friends leave on the hike while I stayed behind feeling like an invalid.

I decided to really listen to God's comforting thoughts. As I thought about the fun things I was going to do for my alternative activity, photography, I felt the sadness lift. I knew that I could enjoy myself just as much as if I were on the hike. I had fun, and when my friends came back, it was even more fun to hear about the hike.

As I prayed each day, I learned more about myself, others, and God's love for me. I had signed up for the ropes course as usual, but then I wondered if I would be able to do it. After all, my shoulder was still not completely normal, and what if I strained it? That wasn't a thought from God! I rejected it and clung instead to the truth about me as God's child. I completed the ropes course without any pain. I was healed. I could hardly believe how total and complete God's care for me was. What had seemed to be an accident that would handicap me for some time had vanished in less than a week.

Another great thing I learned was how to pray on my own. I listened to God and followed His directions. I can't put into words how grateful I am for this wonderful healing that showed me so many new things. Thank you, God.

Jasmine Scott
Framingham, Massachusetts