Employment found, wrist healed
A few years ago, after teaching school part time, I found it necessary to get full-time employment. The principal at the school where I was employed said he would have a second-grade class opening the following year, and that I could have the position. It would first be necessary, however, to go through the application and interview process since I didn’t have a regular, full-time, contract with the school district.
The interview process was far from what I expected and I regretted not having prepared with prayer. There were hundreds of applicants like myself circulating from table to table in a large room where district personnel and principals fired questions at applicants. (The principal at my school was not part of this group.) A week later, a rejection letter arrived. I was devastated, and also upset at what I perceived as a betrayal by the principal. I was further concerned since it was the end of June, and in May I’d declined my part-time contract.
I called a Christian Science practitioner who lovingly assured me that since God is Love, He sees each of His ideas in a place that provides fulfillment and blessings. For the next two months, the practitioner and I talked almost every day. He patiently reminded me that the spiritual qualities I included naturally made it possible to find work that was right for me because God, Love, knows His ideas as harmoniously active and rightly related. The practitioner gently encouraged me to drop the resentment I felt for the principal as this was no part of what I express as God’s child. I knew this was an important step for progress. I needed to see only divine Love as governing and be obedient to the Ten Commandments, especially, “Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour” (Exodus 20:16 ). I realized that feeling angry at the principal was bearing false witness—not accepting that he was God’s child, not seeing my fellow man in his true light as Christ Jesus urged us to do.
Gradually, resentment was replaced with forgiveness toward the principal. I also realized that the principal had been directed by his superiors, since the school district needed to hire new rather than experienced teachers for financial reasons. Those teachers were in their right place, too!
During this time I applied for many jobs and had several interviews. Shortly before the school term began, I had an interview that went well. It was for a reading teacher position. I had received master’s degree training in reading but thought that a job in that field was out of reach. To my delight, I was offered and joyously accepted the position. I’m grateful that prayer opened and uplifted my thought to God’s impartial ever-present love. I spent several productive and challenging years in that work.
While working in this position, I had another healing experience. One afternoon, after school, instead of waiting for a stepladder to be located, I got up on a plastic chair to reach some materials on top of a high cabinet. As I reached for the items, I slipped and fell to the floor, putting out my right hand to break the fall. Instantly, I affirmed “man is unfallen,” meaning God’s man is upright, pure, and can never fall from God’s care, but realized further prayer was needed as my wrist and hand were painful and I was unable to use them. I was grateful to reach a practitioner by phone right away. She was strong in her assurance that nothing had happened to my true selfhood—I was entirely spiritual right then and could not be damaged. She began to pray immediately and the discomfort dissolved.
Since this occurred at my place of employment, I was required to go to a district-authorized clinic, and a faculty member drove me there. X-rays were taken, and it was determined that the right wrist was fractured. It was wrapped and put in a sling. I was given pain pills, which I said I didn’t need as I was not in pain, but the doctor insisted I take them. So I brought the pills home and disposed of them.
During the following weeks, occasional minor discomfort was handled with prayer. The practitioner prayed daily for me, and my thought was uplifted. We spoke regularly, and she joyously shared healing ideas, affirming that I was strong, whole, intact, and without limitation. I also found helpful passages from the Bible and Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, by Mary Baker Eddy, as I read the weekly Christian Science Bible Lesson each day.
At first it was challenging, but with the regular reminders of what was really true about me—my dominion as God’s reflection—I found simple solutions that enabled me to do everything necessary to care for myself and to perform my job as a teacher. At school, students and co-workers were wonderfully helpful. These were continuous reminders of God’s love in action.
The doctor had indicated that it would take several months for the wrist to mend. In about six weeks, I had complete use of my wrist and the required follow-up X-rays confirmed the healing. Well-meaning co-workers said that I would be able to tell that the wrist had been broken by how it felt for the rest of my life. This has not been the case, and it’s been 14 years since this complete healing took place.
I’m sincerely grateful for having been encouraged for many years by the inspiring ideas and beautiful healing demonstrations in The Christian Science Journal and Sentinel, and especially grateful for the dedicated Christian Science practitioners who are ready day and night to affirm with us that Truth heals.
Carole Westman-Dadurka
San Clemente, California, US
