Testimony of Healing July 26, 1930 Issue

Often when it seems as though I do not have enough...

May Plaunt

Often when it seems as though I do not have enough understanding of the truth to meet a certain problem I am reminded of an experience which I had shortly after becoming interested in Christian Science. I had read the first chapter, on Prayer, in the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy, and a few articles in the Christian Science periodicals, and was sure that the statements therein relating to God and man were true. One day while swimming I dived and went deeper than usual. I seemed to be strangling, and as I was going down for the third time I recalled an old superstition that often one does not come up after the third time. But because the pain was so severe when I tried to swim, it seemed more peaceful to go down than to try to struggle. Then a thought came to me of the ever-presence and all-power of God which I had read about in Christian Science, and had accepted as true. I realized that if this truth applied while on land, it surely applied in the water as well. With the acceptance of this truth I immediately shot to the surface of the water. By this time a boat had arrived to take me to shore, although I was perfectly free and able to swim. For the truth which was revealed during this experience, I am most grateful.

Over four years ago I went to a dentist and was told I had a small cavity which needed filling. An appointment was therefore made to have this work done. My teeth had troubled me for some time, during which a problem had presented itself about which I had been unable consistently to know the truth. But when I left the dentist's office I sincerely desired to correct this condition and decided to search my thinking in order that the erroneous beliefs might be replaced with the truth. I began with the thought which was uppermost at the moment—cavity. My only thought of cavity was darkness, a dark hole or pit; and I knew that with the coming of light darkness disappears, because it has no reality. With the realization that God is ever present, that His law is the only real law, and that the beliefs of mortal mind are darkness which disappears with the acceptance of the light, or God's law, I saw why the erroneous belief I had been entertaining was unreal. I then knew my problem was solved and rejoiced in the peace and joy which followed this revelation and acceptance of Truth. A week later, when the fear of pain in the tooth presented itself again, I found, by quickly searching my thinking, that the old belief was again trying to present itself as a reality. However, through the realization of God's ever-presence and the ever-availability of His law, the unreality of the false belief or fear was once more so clearly seen that I knew it could never again be accepted as a reality. Although I had no further fear of pain I kept my appointment with the dentist, but he was unable to find the cavity which he had thought needed treatment. I rejoiced in this experience, which proved to me that when one's thinking is corrected, erroneous physical conditions disappear.

I am grateful that I am learning to understand and appreciate the authorized activities of the Christian Science movement. And I am grateful for our loyal practitioners and teachers, who so lovingly direct us from personal opinions and human misconceptions to the truth as revealed by our Leader in her writings.

Send a comment to the editors

NEXT IN THIS ISSUE

Testimony of Healing

With a deep sense of appreciation and gratitude I wish...