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Harmless creatures
One day, as I was holding my cat, while a friend was clipping its claws, the cat suddenly became agitated and bit me severely several times on one of my hands before I could get free. The hand swelled up very quickly and was painful.
Right away I thought of a passage from the Christian Science textbook in that week’s Christian Science Bible Lesson: “All of God’s creatures, moving in the harmony of Science, are harmless, useful, indestructible” (Mary Baker Eddy, Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, p. 514 ). I noted particularly the assurance that God’s creatures are harmless. I accepted this immediately, affirming that it was true since God made all that was made and all that He made is good (see Genesis 1:31 ).
However, my friend was alarmed at the appearance of the hand and mentioned the possibility of infection. I thought of the last part of this statement from Science and Health: “The transmission of disease or of certain idiosyncrasies of mortal mind would be impossible if this great fact of being were learned,—namely, that nothing inharmonious can enter being, for Life is God” (p. 228 ). This spiritual truth, that “nothing inharmonious can enter being,” became apparent to me, and I knew right then that I was fine. There was no additional swelling or discomfort.
To allay the apprehension of my friend, I called a Christian Science practitioner for further prayerful treatment, which was given promptly. The practitioner reminded me that I must release the cat from blame. That was easy to do, since the cat is a much-loved pet.
Although my friend was still somewhat anxious about the way the hand looked, I assured him that the healing had begun and its completion was assured. Soon, I felt no discomfort and was able to use the hand more and more freely during the day. The hand’s appearance and functioning were completely restored to normal by the next day.
What I learned from this experience was how rapidly healing takes place when I turn immediately to some statements of truth that I know, accept them as true and as bearing power from God, and let those truths work in thought to bring out harmony.
Mark Amparan
Culver City, California, US
September 16, 2013 issue
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Yvonne Renoult, Sarah Putney
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Life is understandable
Iris Marsh
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The song of Soul
Sylvia Messner
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Prayer's impact in Kenya
Peter Tsiganyo Mudida
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Origami and God's man
Diane Williamson
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Save the date
From the Clerk of The Mother Church
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All around
Diane Allison
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Flee from idolatry
Madelon Maupin
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Healing all along the way
Marge Thornton
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Kids ask...
Love with contributions from Monica Karal
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Infection during pregnancy healed
Bonnie Stitt Jannasch with contributions from Karl Nichols Jannasch
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Harmless creatures
Mark Amparan
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God-blessed career search
Tamie Kanata
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Freed from severe injury
Patricia M. Watt
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No more symptoms of arthritis
Adrienne McWhorter
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An unselfish reputation
The Editors