From my early teens I suffered with chronic dislocation of the...

BETHUNE GIBSON

From my early teens I suffered with chronic dislocation of the joint in the sacroiliac region. Slippage of the bones would occur almost daily and was often uncomfortable and painful. Before I was firmly established in the study of Christian Science, I had the condition X-rayed. The doctors told me that the difficulty was incurable and that I would just have to live with it. After this diagnosis I turned wholeheartedly to Christian Science; I felt it was my only hope.

For some time following this decision, I worked with a Christian Science practitioner, who gave me much encouragement. But the condition slowly grew worse until I was unable to do my housework and needed to use a cane in order to move about at all.

Finally, one day I went to see the practitioner at her home. The long, steep flight of stairs to her apartment made for an arduous climb. We talked for about an hour and a half, and I do not remember what we discussed. But I recall leaving with a feeling great happiness and inspiration. It wasn't until I was in my car that I realized I had run down the stairs without my cane; I no longer felt any pain. This left me in awe. It was obvious, as the days passed, that the healing was complete and that I could walk normally. There has been no trace of the condition to this day, over thirty years later.

Before I knew of this healing Science I had tried to stop smoking through sheer willpower. I wasn't successful. In fact, the habit persisted many years after I had begun studying Science. But following the healing just related, I wanted very much to join The Mother Church. I studied and prayed earnestly in an effort to abandon this habit. One day while I was smoking and reading a copy of the Sentinel, I suddenly felt a strong dislike for the smoke. I put the cigarette out in the ashtray and never lighted another. When I realized what had happened—that I had been healed—I was overjoyed. This habit of over twenty years standing never been the least bit tempting to me since.

Mrs. Eddy's answer to the question "What is man?" was most helpful to me in my search for healing in both instances (see Science and Health, pp. 475-477). Also, I found the following statement very enlightening (ibid., p. 264): "Spirit and its formations are the only realities of being. Matter disappears under the microscope of Spirit. Sin is unsustained by Truth, and sickness and death were overcome by Jesus, who proved them to be forms of error." The lessons I have learned through these two healings have been milestones in understanding more of God and my relationship to Him.

BETHUNE GIBSON
West Sedona, Arizona

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