In 1995, a fall on the way to work left me unable to put any...

Lauralyn Sparrowhawk

In 1995, a fall on the way to work left me unable to put any pressure on one foot. I declined medical treatment and was taken to a Christian Science nursing facility for care. For the next four months, I required crutches to walk. Throughout this time, I prayed daily for myself and talked often to a Christian Science practitioner, who provided very helpful treatment in prayer. Eventually, the injury was completely overcome. During the healing process, there were many times of inspiration and uplift, but there are three lessons in particular that stand out to me as being especially significant in this healing.

First was the importance of getting over the thought that I had fallen and was injured. While struggling to get around in my day-to-day activity, I began to believe more and more that the injury was very real and was having a dramatic impact on my life. A very important point for me in this healing was for me to accept the fact that I am already perfect, whole, and unfallen.

Now I can honestly say that I am grateful not just to be walking again, but for the experience itself because of the spiritual lessons it taught me.

Second was remaining persistent in prayer. After a few months of using crutches to walk, I was feeling very discouraged and frustrated. Although I had prayed to God for guidance on how best to take care of myself, I was very worried that the healing would not come, or would not be complete. So, at one point, I went to a clinic to have my foot X-rayed. I was told that the bones were not broken but that the foot was still swollen, and that I should return to the clinic in a few days for some tests. As I had done initially, I prayed to be receptive to God's guidance in making the appropriate decision. Once again, I felt I should rely wholly on prayer rather than on medical treatment, so I did not return to the clinic. As I continued to pray, I realized that I had been spending a lot of energy being discouraged and frustrated, instead of on what should have been my focus— praying to witness God's present perfection. The lesson learned was that I could trust my inspiration to approach this situation through prayer, and that in order to make this approach effective, I had to maintain the prayerful inspiration.

The third lesson was one that came quite some time after I was walking. While I was extremely relieved to be walking again, I was still feeling somewhat sorry for myself. Now I can honestly say that I am grateful not just to be walking again, but for the experience itself because of the spiritual lessons it taught me. Once I acknowledged my gratitude, I knew this healing was complete.

I'm active in my daily lifestyle, which includes a lot of walking, as I don't have a car. In addition, I'm currently enjoying playing tennis. But much more than being physically active again, I'm so thankful to feel spiritually restored.

Lauralyn Sparrowhawk
Boston, Massachusetts

Send a comment to the editors

We'd love to hear from you!

Easily submit your testimonies, articles, and poems online.

Submit