What a surprise when I found myself flat on my face on the pavement next to my vehicle! I was showing homes to new clients, and we were at the first house on our tour. As I turned to get out of the car, my heel caught in the strap of my purse. I was stunned as I hit the street full force. Not wanting to cause my clients any concern, I dusted myself off and proceeded to show the house. My hand was hanging awkwardly. With a little effort I was able to slip the hand into my suit jacket above a button, and I completed the tour of three more homes.

What I really wanted next was some quiet time to pray. My whole life I had depended on God to meet any untoward circumstance, and I was confident that a healing was not just possible, but assured. By this time I was in considerable pain and was holding back a torrent of tears as I headed to my office. Because of a list of appointments and obligations that would have inconvenienced many by my absence, I couldn't go home. As I pushed through the door of my very busy real estate office, several agents could see that I was in need of help. As I tried to explain the incident to these very caring individuals, they were trying to whisk me off to the emergency care facility across the parking lot.

My husband worked in the same office, and hearing the commotion, came to see what was happening. Though he had become interested in Christian Science as a result of several healings he had seen with our children, and of healings he'd experienced himself, at that moment he seemed swept up in the frenzy and surprised me when he agreed with the others that I should seek medical attention.

At that point I knew that God and I needed to communicate one-to-one. I asked the staff and my husband to do what they could to handle my appointments. I wiped away the tears, pulled myself together, and headed back to my car for one last obligation, then home. I told everyone I was grateful for their concern, but would take the problem to the very best physician, God.

My one last stop was to pick up my seven-year-old granddaughter at Brownies. She had been attending a Christian Science Sunday School, learning how to apply the teachings of Christ Jesus. I was looking forward to her gentleness and childlike understanding of God's goodness to accompany me home. I had nearly an hour in the parking lot to wait. It was perfect. At last, time to talk alone with God. I prayed. I rejoiced that I knew God was omnipotent. I praised God for His goodness. I acknowledged my oneness with Him as His perfect, indestructible child. I sang hymns of gratitude for all the other times in my life that God had shown His great love for me. As a result, I began to feel calm and not all afraid. But the severe pain continued.

After I had crawled into bed and propped up pillows to establish a modicum of comfort so that I could read from the Bible and my favorite spiritual resource guide, Science and Health, my granddaughter hymns that we could sing together. She suggested we call a friend who is Christian Science practitioner to pray with us. I agreed.

Within an hour I was asleep. I woke later in a normal sleeping position on my stomach with my arm tucked under my head and pillow. The pain was gone. The words "It makes no separation between my Lord and me," from a familiar hymn, were ringing in my ears (Carl J. P. Spitta, Christian Science Hymnal, No. 135). Although I still couldn't write or hold anything with my hand, I could feel grip and strength returning.

In another day or two, I was writing contracts and able to use my hand and arm normally. I was free.

The very best part of this experience came as I heard my husband relating the "incredible healing of her wrist" to officemates and other business associates. His comments prompted two individuals to visit our church and accept copies of Science and Health.

This experience stands as one of many proofs that my spiritual identity can never be broken or separated. Quite simply, God, our supreme and loving Creator, didn't bring forth His wonderful idea and then confused us with parts that can be broken, separated, malfunctioning, diseased, or even dying. As I go about my daily activities, I try to be actively conscious of my oneness with God. When I slip into a thought that I'm separated from Him, I regroup mentally and remind myself of that wonderful link that holds each of us in God's loving arms. Each day I give thanks that I'm one of His cherished ideas, and that my closeness to Him is impenetrable in all ways, and forever.

ROBERTA ALFORD
BALLWIN, MISSOURI