A LIFE-CHANGING HEALING

WALLY DINGEE

A number of years ago, I began to experience difficulty with walking and maintaining balance. Several people in my workplace had been having a similar challenge, and had been diagnosed with an incurable neurological disease. I called a Christian Science practitioner for prayerful treatment because I felt I could rely on the laws of divine Mind, God, to heal me, as I had many other times.

The practitioner helped at once to calm my fear, which was quickly mounting because performing at work was increasingly difficult. Her loving, nurturing words assured me that nothing could be outside of God's harmonious control. At the time, I didn't realize the spiritual growth that was in store for me.

Each day as I entered my company parking lot, it was a challenge to get from my car to the office, which was almost a mile away. As I slowly made my way to the building entrance, I would pray with this passage from Isaiah: "Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness" (41:10). I was comforted by the idea that God was upholding me every moment.

At that time, I began to read Science and Health straight through. In addition to time spent praying at home, I used my lunch hour for this study. A passage that I found especially helpful was: "Mind [God] is the source of all movement, and there is no inertia to retard or check its perpetual and harmonious action" (p. 283).

As I pondered this and other truths, I reasoned that God is All; therefore, all creation, including me, is perfect. There is no place for anything opposite to God. Made in His good image and likeness, we are whole and complete. He could not send imperfection or impairment to His children. But I also saw that I needed to claim these facts as true about me and to unwaveringly identify myself as that man made in His image.

Each week brought new understanding of my inseparability from my divine Parent. When I finished reading Science and Health, I started over and read it again. I also read Mrs. Eddy's Prose Works from cover to cover. I was completely immersed in my study of Christian Science. The practitioner prayed with me over a period of months, and always provided spiritual guidance and support. I felt as if I was being completely remade. Impatience and other undesirable character traits began to fall away. I had a new love for the Christ—the true idea of God—and for my fellow men and women. My appreciation for Mrs. Eddy and her writings was also growing daily.

Sometimes with tears of gratitude, I slowly but surely made it to my office every day. At other times, when I felt I was struggling or faltering, my family and the practitioner supported me with their prayers, which strengthened and uplifted me.

One of the passages from Science and Health that helped me reach a turning point explains, "To understand that Mind is infinite, not bounded by corporeality, not dependent upon the ear and eye for sound or sight nor upon muscles and bones for locomotion, is a step towards the Mind-science by which we discern man's nature and existence" (p. 84). Gradually, I was replacing a material view of life and identity with a clearer perception of my relationship with God. My thinking was moving from a material basis to a more spiritual one. I was beginning to see that my movement wasn't defined by physical elements or conditions, or measured by material distances, but by my perfect relationship with God. The reality of this relationship was filling my consciousness. Lingering doubts about the ability of the Almighty to help me were disappearing, replaced by a larger trust in His love and omnipotence.

I began to be able to walk short distances without focusing on every step. I continued to make steady progress over a period of months, until I was completely healed. Shortly after that, I became an avid offshore sailor and frequent hiker.

That was over 18 years ago, and I've been fully active and free ever since.

Although quick and sometimes instantaneous healings have become the standard when I apply the truths taught in Christian Science, this healing has served as a staff to rely on when I've encountered other challenges. Words cannot adequately express my gratitude for what was, for me, a life-changing experience.

WALLY DINGEE
PALM COAST, FLORIDA, US

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PARALLEL CONVERSATIONS ON HEALING

July 24, 2006

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