During the past seventeen years...

Jack F. Petermann

During the past seventeen years I have had many opportunities to be grateful for the teachings of Christian Science. It has enabled me to solve many types of problems, including physical, financial, and moral ones. Some of these healings have been accomplished through my own work and some with the help of a Christian Science practitioner.

Some time ago I passed through an experience which I should like to relate. When I returned from work one day, my ankle began to pain me. As I reached down to touch it, I noticed that it was infected and quite swollen. I allowed my thinking to become so overwhelmed by the pain and discomfort that I was unable to walk the following morning.

Although I spent two days working to realize the truth of man's being as a child of God, there appeared to be no improvement. My thinking at this time was not clear because of worry about my absence from work, possible loss of salary, and future commitments. A practitioner was called, and help was given; but still no change was apparent. The pain increased, and it was necessary for me to remain in bed.

One night when I was particularly uncomfortable I awoke and said, "I don't know which way to turn."

Immediately my wife replied, "There is only one way to turn." I knew that she meant to turn to God, and my thoughts were clearer from that moment on.

The following morning we carefully studied the Bible Lesson for that week in the Christian Science Quarterly. Its subject was "Adam and Fallen Man." Then I spent more time contemplating the true creation of God's spiritual universe and spiritual man. A statement that Mary Baker Eddy makes in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" was called to my attention (p. 396): "It breaks the dream of disease to understand that sickness is formed by the human mind, not by matter nor by the divine Mind."

This day was the turning point of the entire experience, for the poison began to drain from the foot. However, I still needed to gain much in patience and in gratitude for blessings already received.

Upon the advice of the practitioner who was helping me, I took the Concordances to the Bible and to Mrs. Eddy's writings and made up different sets of references on subjects which were helpful in my case. As my thinking became more spiritual, the belief of a diseased foot faded from my consciousness. The complete healing followed, and it has been permanent.

Other healings in our family include those of whooping cough, brain concussion, colds, a painful back injury, and the effects of an automobile accident. I should like to express gratitude for the Christian Science Sunday School, in which our three children are receiving such fine training. I am also grateful for membership in The Mother Church and a branch church, for the opportunity to serve this branch church as soloist, and for class instruction. May my light shine in order to help others on the way Spiritward.—Jack F. Petermann, New Castle, Indiana.

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Gratitude for Christian Science...

November 29, 1958

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