Month: December 2006

A few years ago I was fly fishing in the mountains of South America during a particularly windy week when there were dust storms and wind gusts reaching 50 to 60 mph. The strain of casting heavy lines into the wind one day caused my shoulder to give out with great pain and very limited movement during the rest of the trip.

When I returned home I found that even with rest, the shoulder grew no better and restricted my tennis, fishing and other activities. I attempted some physical rehabilitation but my range of movement was so limited that a physical trainer recommended that I consider an operation to correct what seemed to be a severe injury to my rotator cuff. I really was forced to either tackle the problem through prayer or seek a medical solution. I chose prayer.

Christian Science teaches that man is not a material body but the spiritual reflection of God, so in my real, spiritual being, I embody all the same perfect, painless and free movement that God creates and expresses. The CS textbook states: “Mind is the source of all movement, and there is no inertia to retard or check its perpetual and harmonious action.” (p 283:4). Since my concern was lack of normal movement in my shoulder, I realized that I needed to change my whole concept of movement from focusing on the interaction of physical parts, subject to injury or limitation, to a spiritual concept of movement, as the unrestricted and harmonious movement expressed by the divine Mind.

My daily prayer was to consistently see that any opposing thoughts, of pain or fear of limited movement were only false beliefs, acting themselves out in my human consciousness. My prayer was to have confidence that I could change these false beliefs, as effectively as I would be able to erase the incorrect answer on a test and substitute the correct one. The belief of limited movement was not part of my real spiritual identity, and hence it couldn’t have power over me.

The healing of the shoulder took place over a period of months. At first it was hard to hold to the correct view of movement, when it seemed that there was still considerable restriction. (One of the unintended but positive consequences was that in this interim period I taught myself to cast with my other hand, which has since proved to be an invaluable skill.) But after a few months, I noticed that my range of movement had markedly increased, and soon I was able to play tennis and fly-cast without limitation.

I am exceedingly grateful for this healing, not only for the physical change, but for the confidence and lack of fear that it has given me in facing the full range of issues that seem to confront one on a daily basis.

J.S.

The recent passing of my husband proved to be an opportunity to grow spiritually in my understanding of man’s true identity as a spiritual idea of God. I glimpsed the spiritual fact that identity is not in a material body that can be destroyed and disappear from one’s sight.

The Bible tells us, “God created man in his own image,” (Gen. 1: 27) Thus man is truly one with God and can never be separated from Him. As I began each day with the words from a hymn by Mary Baker Eddy, the discover of Christian Science, “Shepherd, show me how to go… I will listen for Thy voice lest my footsteps stray…”, I was guided in carrying out the needed tasks.

I tangibly felt divine Love surrounding me. Love, thoughtfulness, support poured forth from God, who is Love, expressed by family members, friends, acquaintances, sometimes in unexpected ways. This presence of divine Love obliterated grief and brought an overwhelming sense of gratitude to God. I realized my husband was going forward with God in peace and that the qualities such as kindness, love, generosity, steadfastness which he expressed would always be with me.

I am deeply grateful that the study of Christian Science illuminates our paths bringing peace, comfort, guidance and God’s abundant love.
N.H.

I recently was invited to an artist friend’s home for luncheon, along with another artist friend. My hostess’ husband is from India so she has learned to cook Indian food. I was offered me second helpings, and I eagerly ate. The food was delicious.

A couple of hours later, we were looking at her paintings and discussing mine, when I began to feel very uncomfortable. I thought I had stuffed myself, & that was the cause. I started to feel weak & dizzy, and felt I could not stand upright. I was seeing double, so I sat downi I tried to figure how I could leave graciously, but wondered how I would drive my car. As I sat there, I began saying to myself the Scientific Statement of Being from Science & Health, by Mary Baker Eddy: “There is no life, truth, intelligence, nor substance in matter…” and I felt that maybe I could leave the group discretely without anyone knowing my situation. By then, I was able to drive my car, and when the radio turned on, they were talking about the current Ecoli & bad spinach situation.

I realized that one of her dishes was a spinach casserole. I laughed at that, because this lady would NEVER buy spinach in a plastic bag. She does everything from scratch. And there was no power in a plastic bag to harm me; no power in unwashed spinach to harm me; no harm in anything that God made, and God made EVERYTHING! There is only one power and that is God, good. There is only one source, and that is good, and nothing but good can be real.

I was able to drive my car to my church, where I had an important item to tend to. By then I was no longer seeing double, and I was able to walk in a straight line. By the time I arrived at my home, I was perfectly well. And extremely grateful!

I so appreciate the lessons we learn in Christian Science, and how God is caring for us continually. What a blessing we have in Christian Science!

J.P.