At about the age of ten, I slipped while playing on a stack of lumber and badly scraped one shin. The difficulty was treated through prayer in Christian Science, and the wound healed quickly. But a scar formed in such a way that an area of skin about the size of a half dollar adhered tightly to the shinbone.

This scar remained, slightly indented but not very noticeable, for more than forty years. Then, for no apparent reason, the scar tissue gradually turned a dark brown color. This made it obvious through stockings, so I began covering it with cosmetics but paid no other attention to it.

Two years ago the members of our branch Church of Christ, Scientist, undertook a special study of topics that were part of a Healing Goal program of The Mother Church. The program's purpose was: "To strengthen the healing thrust of our movement, thus improving our ability to respond to the needs of mankind by spiritual means." It focused on increased individual growth through greater spirituality and alertness, a clearer understanding of church and its organization, and improved love for mankind.

I found the work very inspiring, and as I did the extra research and study I became progressively more able to keep my thinking and actions consistent with spiritual facts. Many passages in the Bible and the textbook of Christian Science, Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy—which I had loved and used effectively all my life—took on even greater meaning. I tried harder than ever to understand and follow the rules and directives given by Christ Jesus in his Sermon on the Mount, and by Mrs. Eddy in her writings, especially the Platform of Christian Science (see Science and Health, pp. 330-340), the chapter "Christian Science Practice" in the same book, and Mrs. Eddy's article "The New Birth" in Miscellaneous Writings. The benefits of this effort were soon apparent in many phases of my life.

Then one day as I applied makeup to that old scar I suddenly realized that I had never scientifically challenged the claim of disfigurement that lay behind the physical evidence. All this time I had unconsciously accepted it as legitimate. So right then I began thorough Christian Science treatment of the problem. On page 184 of Science and Health Mrs. Eddy says: "Belief produces the results of belief, and the penalties it affixes last so long as the belief and are inseparable from it. The remedy consists in probing the trouble to the bottom, in finding and casting out by denial the error of belief which produces a mortal disorder, never honoring erroneous belief with the title of law nor yielding obedience to it."

I went back in memory to the circumstances of the childhood incident, including our family situation at the time, and methodically denied every phase of inharmony revealed. I replaced each suggestion of disorder and disruption with its spiritual counter fact, in accordance with this statement of Mrs. Eddy's (ibid., p. 233): "The counter fact relative to any disease is required to cure it. The utterance of truth is designed to rebuke and destroy error."

I saw that, in reality, there had been no original misstep. Accident is without cause and consequence in the infinite, lawful realm of Spirit. No abnormal form or feature can persist, because it has no valid claim to existence. I continued this work over a period of weeks, and then one morning I discovered that the dark, indented scar had become inflamed.

Immediately I recognized this change as an effect of what our Leader, Mrs. Eddy, calls chemicalization. She explains it this way (ibid., p. 401): "If faith in the truth of being, which you impart mentally while destroying error, causes chemicalization (as when an alkali is destroying an acid), it is because the truth of being must transform the error to the end of producing a higher manifestation. This fermentation should not aggravate the disease, but should be as painless to man as to a fluid, since matter has no sensation and mortal mind only feels and sees materially."

I continued systematic scientific prayer from this higher standpoint. In reviewing my own spiritual growth, I recognized it as an ongoing demonstration of the healing power of the Christ. I refused to accept as real any limit to or reversal of my progress and well-being because I knew them to be Principle-based and so completely unshakable. I often pondered the spiritual meaning of Jesus' words at the tomb of Lazarus (John 11:41): "Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me." This alerted me to the real need—not to "ask for" something but rather to consistently identify myself as God's flawless idea, subject only to His will of good.

Within a short time the inflammation faded away and a scab formed. A few days later the scab washed off in the shower, leaving that shin as clear and smooth as the other; and it remains so, needing no cosmetic cover-up.

If I cared, or dared, to choose one blessing as greatest among the many I enjoy as a Christian Scientist, the honor would go to class instruction from a dedicated teacher. Truly, Science is fulfilling the Master's promise of "another Comforter." I am profoundly grateful for the way it has illumined Christ Jesus' teachings, and for the inspired purpose established by Mrs. Eddy for this healing movement.

LONA BETH RAWLINS
Westlake Village, California