Article September 24, 1938 Issue

"I can"

MYRTLE A. WALLING

Many years ago there was a little seven-year-old girl whose daddy told her to do something that she did not want to do. She said, "I can't." Her daddy looked down at her with love in his eyes, but a very sure look in his face, and said, "Your can't means won't, young lady; and we don't say won't to father."

Years later this little girl, grown up and with a little girl of her own, found herself in very deep waters of sickness. Her thought was turned to Christian Science. She was shown that she must recognize herself as God's child, created in His image and likeness. She must "arise and walk." She said, "O God, I can't!" And out of all those years came back to her memory the voice—so loving, yet so sure—saying, "Your can't means won't, young lady; and we don't say won't to father." Suddenly she realized that God was her Father, and that she dared not say "won't" to Him.

To say, instead, "I can," seemed impossible. On calling the practitioner who was helping her she was told to read the verse from Philippians, "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." As she read and used these words, she gradually saw that she could have no fear when she knew and acknowledged that it was Christ which strengthened her, and that Christ, Truth, is ever present.

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