From tears to smiles

Corey Newkirk

When my daughter was three years old, I got a new car. I traded in my well-loved, two-door vehicle for a more practical, shiny new four-door car. My daughter was so excited to have her own door and her own window to open and close. She even named the new car “Sparkle River.”

One day my daughter and I went out to run some errands. It was a beautiful, sunny day, and spirits were high. When we arrived at our first stop, I got out of the car, opened my daughter’s door (the rear driver’s side), and flung mine shut. Just as it closed, I heard a cry. Because she was unfamiliar with the design of the four-door car, my daughter had grabbed on to the door frame in between the front and rear doors. The door had closed hard on her little hand.

I immediately scooped my daughter up and hopped into the car with her. I held her tight and knew without a doubt that she was an expression of pure divine Love, and that nothing could hurt or damage Love or her expression of joy. I proclaimed that getting this new car was a happy occasion and it was a blessing. It was useful and practical, and, being such, it could only bring good into our lives. Nothing negative could result from it.

After a few minutes, the crying stopped. I opened my eyes and noticed that we were both sitting in my daughter’s car seat! I smiled at my daughter, and she smiled back. We got out of the car and continued on with our errands. There was never any swelling or redness in my daughter’s hand, and my daughter never showed any more signs of pain.

In Miscellaneous Writings 1883–1896, Mary Baker Eddy writes, “That we exist in God, perfect, there is no doubt, for the conceptions of Life, Truth, and Love must be perfect; and with that basic truth we conquer sickness, sin, and death” (p. 6). In the car, I had replaced the material suggestion that an expression of Love (my daughter) could be damaged, and instead expressed gratitude for all of the good present, affirming that she was indeed spiritual and perfect. Because she reflects and expresses all of the good and Love that is God, she could never express imperfection. It simply is not possible for her to express imperfection, much the same as it is not possible for her to look in the mirror and see herself as a rabbit. The reflection of a rabbit is undoubtedly a rabbit! And the reflection of Love and perfection is unmistakably loving and perfect.

I feel this healing took place so simply because of conviction and holding firmly to the truth, and also because of the absence of fear. My daughter, so sweet and trusting, looked to me for assurance, and my knowledge of her true nature was unwavering. The situation was also free of doubt or speculation about the outcome. I believe that this is what allowed this healing to take place almost instantaneously and without struggle.

— Corey Newkirk, Chester, Massachusetts

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