Are you sure?
This bookmark will be removed from all folders and any saved notes will be permanently removed.
Insights on the Gadarene's plea
When a child experiences a Christian Science healing, it is often the result of the spiritual growth of the parent. This was certainly the case for me. When I was a toddler, my parents discovered that my foot had developed at an abnormal angle with the arch rolled over, restricting my ability to walk correctly. At this time my mother had become a serious student of Christian Science and decided to take Primary class instruction in Christian Science.
Although my mother had been praying about my foot before she started class, she said that all anxiety about my foot entirely left her thought during class as she directed her focus on learning about God and our relationship to Him. When she returned home, she found that the healing of my foot had taken place. I remember my mother explaining that the straightening of my foot was a natural outcome of the alignment of her thought to what was good and true (see testimony by Ann S. Renoult, The Christian Science Journal, April 1960, pp. 215–216). That was my first encounter, albeit indirectly, with class instruction.
Although I attended Sunday School and had wonderful Sunday School teachers throughout my childhood, I got off the track in my late teens. Because my relationship with my family was going through some ups and downs, I decided to leave home as quickly as I could after graduating from high school. I soon began experimenting with drugs and developed a relatively steady habit of binge drinking. I lived a rather self-absorbed, indulgent lifestyle. Nevertheless, whenever I got into a tight spot, I often—or perhaps, sporadically—called a wonderful, patient Sunday School teacher, who was a Christian Science practitioner. He always lovingly supported me with prayer. Still, I was what they call a “tea bag” Christian Scientist—the kind that only prays when in hot water.
Enjoy 1 free Sentinel article or audio program each month, including content from 1898 to today.
December 23, 2013 issue
View Issue-
Letters
Ruth Elaine Lusingu, Marie Longpre-Adams, Brunette Woolf, Grace, Margaret (Margo) Simons
-
The 'miracle of Christmas' continues
Curtis J. Wahlberg
-
Your home, right here
Cheryl Ranson
-
Insights on the Gadarene's plea
Yvonne Renoult
-
Cast the net on the right side
Jorge Díaz Rosales
-
Jigsaw lessons
Margaret Zuber
-
A celebration of light
Abby Fuller Innes
-
Christmas every day
Julie Ward
-
Symbols of Christmas
Landon, Austin, Kimberly, Emily, Jeff
-
Healed of chickenpox
Tchara Edzareseba
-
No need to compete
Jyoti Raghu
-
Love's impact
Claire Stoddard
-
The spirit of 'Thy kingdom come'
The Editors