One Sunday afternoon last year my husband and I were having a good time playing a very lively game of badminton. Toward the end of the game, I stretched to reach a shot (which I did reach) and felt something go in my hip. I assured my husband that I was OK and suggested we finish the game. I had already begun to pray.

The following day I was due to go to Cornwall for a week's break with an old family friend. I continued with my preparations and also with my prayers. I said nothing more to my husband about the symptoms, and the next day, he put me on the coach as planned. My friend and I reached our hotel about ten hours later.

During the night, the pain in my leg became intense. I reached out to my Father-Mother God as never before. I recited the twenty-third Psalm to myself until I felt a sense of God's presence. I also read the Bible Lesson for that week from the Christian Science Quarterly. The Lesson was alive with beautiful promises, and I felt reassured. I remember reading this citation from Science and Health: "All these deeds manifested Jesus' control over the belief that matter is substance, that it can be the arbiter of life or the constructor of any form of existence" (p. 369).

I did not sleep but felt refreshed, and the following morning I called a Christian Science practitioner for treatment. My friend was planning our first walk for the week. (We had expected to do a lot of walking.) I obviously had to tell her what had happened. She was very concerned and could see that I was in pain. She offered to get me a doctor and to give me painkillers she had with her. I assured her that I would be OK, that I would rely on treatment through prayer as I always did. My friend was wonderful. She respected my desire to rely on God.

The week progressed, and I walked every day. Each day my movement was freer. We had a wonderful week, and the problem did not make us inactive or spoil our visit in any way. I was soon completely free.

Several weeks after my return home, however, I entered the house laden with shopping. I had been thinking about a close family member whom I felt was not where he needed to be. On entering the house and putting down the shopping, something went out of position in my back. I was immobile on the floor, again in pain and unable to move. My husband was in the garden. I decided not to shout to him; and managed to reach for a telephone and ring a practitioner for treatment through prayer. I told her what I had been thinking when this had happened. Within minutes I was able to get up and put the shopping away, even though I was still in discomfort. As the days passed, I was gaining a much clearer sense that God's children, being spiritual, must always be where they need to be. In fact, it is imposible for them to be anywhere else. Once I realized this, the false sense of responsibility I had taken on lifted. The problem in my back ceased, and this healing has been permanent. Since that time I have done a lot of hill walking (something my husband and I love to do together) without any discomfort whatsoever.

I am deeply grateful for Christian Science and for the many proofs I have had of the healing power of God.

M. Anne Mepham
West Yorkshire, England