We read in the Bible the assuring words "Before they call, I...

Antoinette Wiggins

We read in the Bible the assuring words "Before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear" (Isaiah). This verse has a new meaning for me because of an experience I had while teaching third-grade children in an inner-city school.

One day when two children were fighting in my classroom, one appeared to have been stuck in the eye with a sharp pencil. The child ran to me, crying uncontrollably, and the rest of the children were in an uproar.

This whole scene was so disturbing to me that I just closed my eyes and silently began to acknowledge the omnipotence and omnipresence of God while holding the child close. Suddenly I heard another child say, "Be quiet everybody. Miss Wiggins is praying." I was awed that the child recognized this. I felt a great sense of humility.

Gradually the child in my arms stopped crying. When I looked at the child, her eye was fine. She was comfortable and could see clearly. I continued praying, though, because I did not want to accept even the possibility that a harmful accident could have taken a harmful accident could have taken place amid God's allness. There was no more mention of the incident for the rest of the day and no more fighting. (Later that evening I talked to the child's mother. She had examined the child, and found her to be in perfect condition.)

This incident took place in just a few minutes, but it was a great inspiration to me. I had had quite a difficult time with discipline in this class, but I felt this was indeed a turning point. Now as I look back, I see more clearly that God's children are not warring mortals; they are His ideas, spiritual and peaceful.

Mary Baker Eddy tells us in her book Christian Science versus Pantheism, "Finally, brethren, let us continue to denounce evil as the illusive claim that God is not supreme, and continue to fight it until it disappears,—but not as one that beateth the mist, but lifteth his head above it and putteth his foot upon a lie." In acknowledging the power and presence of God in this situation, I was lifted above evil and was able to prove it powerless.

I am very grateful for Christian Science.

Antoinette Wiggins
Rocky River, Ohio

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