God is good. Sometimes we may forget that, however, when confronted with a challenge, especially one that involves pain.

In the spring of 2009 my legs became inflamed and swelled up for no reason I could see. It was painful for me to walk, and bending over was very hard.

As a farmer I do a lot of walking and bending. I took time out every morning as usual to study the Christian Science Bible Lesson and pray for myself, my family, and the world. But the problem persisted. Finally my husband said, "You need to call someone to pray with you."

I called a friend who is a Christian Science practitioner. One of the first things she said to me was, "You are a precious, precious child of God." I felt such love from her and love for God, who loves me! She then said she would pray for me and asked that I call her back in two hours. I'd been praying for a couple of weeks—and she said to call her back in two hours?! I felt uplifted and hopeful, but the pain did not go away. When I called her back, during our conversation she reminded me that I was made in the image and likeness of God (see Gen. 1:26, 27). I knew that, but the pain made it hard to remember. It seemed easy to focus on the problem and hard to focus on what God knows and does. She then asked me to give gratitude to God for making me perfect.

At first I persistently thanked God for making me perfect (for being the expression of His perfection), but it was more like a mantra than a deeply felt affirmation of what I knew to be true. Eventually though, I began to pay attention to the ideas behind what I was saying, and there welled up in me a wonderful gratitude for such a loving Father-Mother God, a God who is "Truth infinite,—so far above / All mortal strife, / Or cruel creed, or earth-born taint: ..." (Mary Baker Eddy, Christian Science Hymnal, No. 23).

That Sunday I was substitute First Reader at our branch church, where I read to the congregation Mary Baker Eddy's allegory of a trial in Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures (see pp. 430–442). It tells of a man who became sick while helping a sick friend, and the various witnesses against him. The man is tried in court, found guilty, and condemned to die. But the trial is taken to the higher Court of Spirit, and the man is found "Not Guilty!"

I read: "The Jury of Spiritual Senses agreed at once upon a verdict, and there resounded throughout the vast audience-chamber of Spirit the cry, Not guilty. Then the prisoner rose up regenerated, strong, free. We noticed, as he shook hands with his counsel, Christian Science, that all sallowness and debility had disappeared. His form was erect and commanding, his countenance beaming with health and happiness. Divine Love had cast out fear. Mortal Man, no longer sick and in prison, walked forth, his feet 'beautiful upon the mountains,' as of one 'that bringeth good tidings' " (p. 442).

I realized I had been so focused on this beautiful story that I had forgotten about my own situation. Even though nothing had changed physically, I knew I was free. When I got home, I called the practitioner and told her I was healed. All the symptoms, including the pain soon faded away.

I write this testimony in gratitude for Christian Science practitioners all over the world who dedicate their lives to God in helping people through their prayers and study of Christian Science. I am also grateful that Mary Baker Eddy shared her discovery of this divine Science that Christ Jesus so wonderfully demonstrated and lived. God is good!

DIANA USREY
VISTA, CALIFORNIA, US