Testimony of Healing November 17, 1997 Issue

I was alone at home one afternoon when there was an urgent...

Elizabeth Weir

I was alone at home one afternoon when there was an urgent knock at my front door. Upon opening it, I was confronted by an angry young man holding our Labrador dog by the collar. He thrust a badly cut hand at me and told me that it was a result of a bite inflicted by my dog. I offered to bathe and cover his hand, but he angrily refused and told me that he was going to the doctor and would return later.

I was shocked and shaken, but as I am learning to do, I decided to assess the situation from a spiritual perspective. I knew our dog to be gentle, good-natured, and obedient always. I replaced the picture of an injured, aggressive mortal with the man of God's creating—loved, whole, and lovable. I affirmed God's control of the situation, and sided firmly with His law of undeviating harmony. I was not trying to negate my responsibility or question the young man's story. I wished only to behold what was really going on.

In a short while, the young man returned. He informed me that he had received ten stitches in his hand and that he would be unable to work for several weeks, as he used his hands for manual labor. He demanded compensation for the doctor's bill and for the wages he would miss while not working. I told him that I wanted to do the right thing and would certainly recompense him for anything for which I was responsible. I asked him to work out an estimate of the amount and call back the next day.

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