Although I've had many beautiful healings—from needing to wear glasses to working out problems of human relationship—I want to share what I consider to be the most outstanding proof I have had of God's ever-present love and care.

Mrs. Eddy writes in Science and Health (p. 1), "Desire is prayer; and no loss can occur from trusting God with our desires, that they may be moulded and exalted before they take form in words and in deeds." Shortly after I was married and had moved seven hundred miles from my family's home, I found that I was expecting a child. In the area where we lived, much to my disappointment, there did not seem to be the facilities for having a child at home. Considerable prayer on my part was necessary to heal my disappointment, fear, and resentment over this situation, but finally I was able to prepare my thought for the birth without outlining how it was to take place.

A short time before the child was expected, I made a trip to my hometown for my annual association meeting. I remained there for a week after the meeting. The night before I was to return home, friends had a shower for me, providing many lovely things for the new baby. I returned to my mother's home, packed my bags, set them by the front door, and went to bed. A few minutes later I sensed that the baby was coming. I called a Christian Science practitioner to support me with treatment. Every need was supplied exactly. A Christian Science nurse was found, who was instantly available, plus a doctor who was willing to come for a home delivery. All the details were handled—time, place, even clothing for the baby from the gifts—all because I was willing to let God govern.

The whole experience was accomplished by realizing the truth of these words (Science and Health, p. 495): "Allow nothing but His likeness to abide in your thought. Let neither fear nor doubt overshadow your clear sense and calm trust, that the recognition of life harmonious— as Life eternally is—can destroy any painful sense of, or belief in, that which Life is not. Let Christian Science, instead of corporeal sense, support your understanding of being, and this understanding will supplant error with Truth, replace mortality with immortality, and silence discord with harmony."

I can honestly say that there were no labor pains. I held to the truth that, in reality, I could only know the truth of God's law calling upon me for fuller expression of my spiritual birthright of dominion over the material senses. In a few hours I was up and around, feeling just fine.

Later, fatigue and a false sense of responsibility for getting the child home safely tried to tempt me. The fatigue was healed permanently after I saw that man, a spiritual idea, cannot be exhausted, because he reflects the unwearied activity of God. False responsibility for the care of the child disappeared when I realized that I was breaking the First Commandment (Ex. 20:3): "Thou shalt have no other gods before me." After that I was able to care for the child without fear.

I am very grateful for this experience of God's loving care and for all the beautiful proofs I have had; for the Christian Science Sunday School, where I learned how to apply Christian Science; for class instruction, which broadened my understanding of the Science of Christ-healing; for membership in a branch church and The Mother Church. I am grateful to my loving Father for being All, for Christ Jesus, and for Mrs. Eddy, who was so unselfed in sharing her discovery of this healing power.

(Mrs.) Vicki Rae Knickerbocker
Merriam, Kansas