For a few weeks every summer, my children go to a camp for Christian Science Sunday School students. It’s always a joyful time for them to be outside, learn a new outdoor skill or sport, and spend time with friends. The new activities often challenge them physically and socially. These experiences compel them to see and acknowledge their God-given abilities, demonstrate a reliance on God for all their needs, and discover how they express strength, joy, love, independence, dominion, grace, creativity, and peace as children of God.
Almost three years ago, my twelve-year-old son came home from camp with a rash on his shoulder. When the rash appeared on more of his body over the next few days, I became concerned that this might be considered contagious, and I should report it. I called an acquaintance who is married to a doctor to ask whether I needed to inform the camp and others of this problem. When I described the rash to the doctor, he said it was not contagious, but that it sounded like Lyme disease from a tick bite and that it was easily treated with medication. I thanked him for his help and hung up the phone. Another source corroborated that that condition was most likely what we were dealing with.
I turned to God for what to do. I wanted to rely on God for healing as we have always done in our family, because we have experienced wonderful healings. However, I gave my son the option of going to a physician or praying about the situation, fully ready to support him in either choice.
