Like many others, I have studied the Christian Science Weekly Bible Lessons for many years. Yet, I am only gradually discovering the fullness of their meaning through the practice and demonstration of the truth they contain. The Bible says, "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee" (Isa. 26:3). Through the daily study of the Bible Lessons, I've discovered that my activities are more harmonious and orderly when I spiritualize my thought early each morning. As Mrs. Eddy wrote, "To those leaning on the sustaining infinite, to-day is big with blessings" (Science and Health, p. vii).

A while ago, I had an opportunity to prove the power of the divine Mind, in a healing that came through prayer alone. It was not a quick healing, as it occurred over a period of many weeks. But it was a decisive one, and as a result of it, I grew in my understanding of God.

Although retired, I lead a fairly active life—hiking, swimming, walking, gardening, and repairing the house. But one day, my whole body ached. At first I tried to ignore the pain and not think about it. But soon I felt paralyzed—neither able to walk easily nor move my arms freely. Fear and worry became aggressive. I found it difficult to sleep because of the pain in my arms and legs.

We have good neighbors, whom I see daily during summer months. Several asked the question, "Are you seeing a doctor?" My answer to them was that I rely on spiritual healing. I'd done this successfully many times before, and was expecting to be healed through Christian Science in this situation also.

I thought about a statement from Science and Health, which I did not fully understand at the time: "Man as the offspring of God, as the idea of Spirit, is the immortal evidence that Spirit is harmonious and man eternal" (p. 29). Through my prayer and study of the Bible Lesson, I strove to understand that I was the evidence of God's harmonious nature, and that as His spiritual idea, or expression, I could not be restricted and in pain.

Though it was often difficult, I kept up most of my daily activities. One day, while I was taking a stroll through the neighborhood, a car suddenly pulled up beside me, and a good friend hollered out, "Hey George, you're walking like an old man!" I just muttered something like, "I feel like an old man."

This led me to see that more prayer was necessary. So I turned to divine Mind and prayed more earnestly to understand what it meant that I was spiritual, not material. I contemplated these words, which are quoted each Sunday morning in Christian Science churches: "Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God" (I John 3:1). And I realized that my very existence was truly in God. Science and Health says it this way: "All that really exists is the divine Mind and its idea, and in this Mind the entire being is found harmonious and eternal" (p. 151).

As I prayed more earnestly and studied these spiritual ideas more thoroughly, I began to feel the peaceful presence of divine Mind. Physical progress came gradually, but it became steadily easier for me to move about.

One day I felt inspired when I read these words: "The Christlike understanding of scientific being and divine healing includes a perfect Principle and idea,—perfect God and perfect man,—as the basis of thought and demonstration" (ibid., p. 259). I was filled with a feeling of gratitude for God's perfection, and a short time later I realized a complete healing had occurred. I could move again normally with no pain.

Then, in just a few weeks, I received a notice from the Canadian Department of Transport that, because of my senior status, a complete medical examination was required to renew my driver's license. I passed this exam without difficulty.

It's been over a year since this healing, and I've been completely free ever since then. I'm grateful for all those who serve the Cause of Christian Science.

GEORGE LEEMING
KAMLOOPS, BC, CANADA