Testimony of Healing October 24, 2005 Issue

DEEP APPRECIATION FOR CHRISTIAN SCIENCE NURSING CARE AFTER SERIOUS ACCIDENT

SUSAN BREUER

I was involved in a serious automobile accident a few years ago and was taken to a local hospital. I was able to ask someone to call a Christian Science practitioner for me when I first entered the hospital, and he agreed to pray for me. After examinations and X-rays by the emergency room doctors and an area specialist who had been summoned, I was told I had broken my neck in two places. As I listened to the description of what my treatment would entail—complete immobilization and major surgery with an extended hospital stay, all with no guarantee of success—I prayed to do what was wise and necessary for myself.

It became very clear to me that I wanted to rely on Christian Science to achieve this healing. I assured the various hospital workers that I appreciated their care and concern, and asked to be taken home. After that request was soundly denied, I asked to be taken to a local Christian Science nursing facility. Once again, the doctors told me they felt that my injuries were far too serious for treatment through prayer alone and said medical treatment was my only viable option. I could choose to have surgery immediately or wait until the following morning. I was then left alone in the room, still taped to an immobilization board, to ponder which of these two options I preferred.

The first thing that came to me as I lay there praying was the Bible story of Paul and Silas, who, when locked in a prison, sang hymns and praises to God, and the prison doors immediately opened (see Acts 16:19-26). The story told me that no matter how dire or impossible my situation might appear, God could provide a way out. Just a few moments later, to my complete surprise, the chief medical nurse put her head into my room and asked if there was a specific place where I could be taken. I was astonished because just moments before, in her presence, I had been told that I could not leave the hospital under any circumstances. I can't tell you how grateful I was to have a place to go and gave her the name of the Christian Science nursing facility.

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