I was just coming out from a church where we had been rehearsing sacred choral music for the Christmas season. I was deep in thought and grateful for all the beauty we had been expressing and the joy shared among us.

Standing at a street corner, I waited for the traffic light to turn green. It did, and as I was starting to cross, a bus suddenly made a swift turn toward me. I just had the time to step back on the icy sidewalk to keep from falling under the vehicle. I then crossed over to catch my bus home. As I ran to catch it, I fell on the sidewalk, hurting my ankle. A lady passing by asked if I was all right. I said yes, and thanked her. I got up and caught my bus. On my way, I was filled with gratitude to God for the protection received, and I declared silently that nothing had really touched my God-given being. As the spiritual idea, the pure reflection, of God, I have dominion over the body. In fact, in spiritual reality, I am not living in a physical body. I am the pure reflection of my Maker.

Upon arriving home, I didn't tell my friend and roommate what had happened, since I knew that talking about it wouldn't do me any good. I believed, as I was taught in Christian Science, that "accidents are unknown to God" (Science and Health, p. 424)—that God's kingdom is perfect. I went to bed later and was able to sleep. But in the middle of the night, I woke with an excruciating pain. I felt much self-pity and much resentment for the bus driver who had swerved into my path. I started to cry softly, all alone with my thoughts. Then I realized that I had to stop that moaning and that I was not to give power to evil anymore.

I opened Science and Health, read a few pages, and sang hymns to find solace. I then surrendered wholeheartedly to God, willing to forgive the offense and forget, willing to love that man by seeing him as a flawless reflection of my and his God. I refused to analyze or judge his behavior, and sincerely agreed to rest in God's love for both of us. I pondered these magnificent truths about spiritual man, the only man God made: that he is perfect and immortal, innocent, blameless, guiltless, free in God, and not a despicable mortal. I had to learn not to give in to resentment, but to express all the love I could muster unconditionally, whatever the circumstances. I had to soar above appearances and, instead of being hypnotized by evil, show understanding, tolerance, compassion, and kindness for others. My heart was now at peace, and I slept.

In the morning, I couldn't bear weight on my foot, so I felt I needed crutches. An employee from the pharmacy made a special trip to deliver them to our third-floor apartment. I was so grateful, since customers generally have to fetch such items at the store. I had not been using the crutches for more than four or five minutes when I felt strongly impelled to put my foot on the floor. When I did so, it was without pain. I was healed! I put aside the crutches, rejoicing greatly over God's goodness and healing power.

This experience lifted me out once more from the harmful habit of labeling people. I realized how poisonous for me such a habit was, robbing me of my peace of mind, my joy, and my deep desire to love.

How wonderful it is to be able to rely totally on God to rejuvenate our thinking and enlighten our consciousness. We can acknowledge more and more that God, the one Mind, is the Father-Mother of each of us. All of us being united in divine Love, we celebrate His glory. Then comes a "joy that none can take away" (see Christian Science Hymnal, No. 139).

Angele Marchessault
Princeton, New Jersey

(Another testimony of healing appears on p. 20).