In October 1978 I fell down the drain well of a basement window

In October 1978 I fell down the drain well of a basement window. While I was falling, there was a loud snap in the upper part of my back. My thighs were badly bruised, and I was unable to sit. Immediately I silently declared that God does not know of accidents. In Science and Health Mrs. Eddy tells us (p. 424), "Under divine Providence there can be no accidents, since there is no room for imperfection in perfection." As I prayed over "the scientific statement of being," given on page 468, I particularly pondered these sentences: "Spirit is God, and man is His image and likeness. Therefore man is not material; he is spiritual."

I then called a Christian Science practitioner for help through prayer. She reminded me that as the child of God, my true being is perfect now and always, and that this perfection doesn't include a mortal body. Acceptance of these truths enabled me to turn from the physical picture and thus see my real being as the spiritual idea of God, wholly perfect. Soon I was sitting normally. Several days later I noticed while showering that the bruises were entirely gone.

However, my back became painful, and I could only sleep lying flat. Wholeheartedly I turned to God for help, acknowledging that man can never actually be separated nor fall from His loving care. Healing did not come quickly. The next two months were spent in constant prayer as well as consecrated study of the Bible Lesson in the Christian Science Quarterly. I also studied the chapter in Science and Health entitled "Science, Theology, Medicine," including this sentence (p. 151): "The divine Mind that made man maintains His own image and likeness." Proof of this statement was evident as I became increasingly aware of God's constant love for man and less aware of a painful body. I felt His love motivating and supporting my activity. This feeling of man's oneness with God has remained with me. Finally, movement became unrestricted. Christmas morning I woke flat on my stomach, feeling peaceful and completely free of pain. It was the best Christmas present I've ever received. Within a week, and several times during that winter, I helped people push their cars out of ice and snow with no feeling of strain. And I've had no further difficulties with my back.

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December 17, 1979
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