Article September 5, 1988 Issue

But what if it were serious?

Our needs for healing may vary. Still, there's no situation outside the range of God's healing power.

Gary Recard

As the summer sun beat down on those of us enjoying a few hours at our local pool, I was talking to a neighbor whom I had met only twice before. Our previous conversations had centered on the community, but on this particular day the conversation turned toward our families as she asked where my wife worked. When I responded that my wife taught piano and was the organist at the Church of Christ, Scientist, near the university, I quickly found myself fielding several questions about Christian Science healing.

Reluctant to delve deeply into an explanation of spiritual healing right away, I discussed first the idea that thought influences health. My neighbor agreed with this, but then asked in a very direct manner, "But what if it were serious? What if you had appendicitis?" Although at first hesitant to address such a serious topic in this casual setting, I had faced that situation several years before while on a business trip, so I told my neighbor about it. I wanted to explain why one would choose to heal spiritually in a time of need rather than turn to material medicine.

Prior to this particular business trip, I had tended to divide my life into separate areas. One was the time I spent in studying the Bible—especially the teachings and healings of Christ Jesus —and Science and Health by Mrs. Eddy, and the other was the time I spent trying to cope with everyday life. I'm afraid the two didn't always merge.

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