Steady prayer, progress, and healing
A number of years back, I was playing in a friendly inter-dorm volleyball game at the college for Christian Scientists, where I worked as a resident counselor. Suddenly, with one quick crack of my ankle, I was in pain on the court floor. A colleague managed to help me to her car, as I said I wanted to go back to my apartment. She was carrying me down the long walk to the dorm, but then she inadvertently dropped me and fell on the injured ankle. We laughed at ourselves there in a heap on the sidewalk. And, of course, I instantly forgave my friend! Unable to put any weight on the foot, though, I ended up in my apartment thinking, now what?
It seemed that life as I knew it had suddenly become shaky just inside of one week: My husband had left the country on a six-month volunteer assignment in England. I felt anxious and missed him. Also, because of the plane ticket expense, I had no extra funds to repair our car’s transmission, which had broken down a day before; and now this!
Actually, this period of time proved to be an amazing opportunity for me to watch Christian Science in action and learn that I could go directly to God with every concern. As the Bible says in Deuteronomy, “Fear not ... he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee” (31:6 ).
At first, I felt helpless and shocked by my situation. Thankfully, I was able to receive Christian Science nursing care on campus, a first for me. Caring, compassionate Christian Scientists from the campus and nearby church also sent notes, sang hymns, visited, cared for and assisted me in many ways; and my wonderfully loving, spiritually-minded husband and children prayerfully supported me from afar.
Regular communication with a Christian Science practitioner was essential. She helped me “jump right in” metaphysically. We’re taught in Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy: “Christian Science explains all cause and effect as mental, not physical” (p. 114 ). And so the practitioner helped me address the mental nature of the problems I was facing—to face them as untrue suggestions about separation from God, good itself.
The inspiration the practitioner shared along these lines immediately began to calm and lift my thought, enabling me to recognize fear’s falsity; to start to see through and reverse the outward pictures of danger, damage, and lack so that I could be an active witness to the spiritual facts God knows as always true about me. She also gently helped me address and overcome my fear about my husband being away for so long—a fear I had not consciously recognized before, but which related to my past broken marriage and divorce.
The study to which she guided me in the Bible and Mrs. Eddy’s writings genuinely made me feel stronger. Still, there was a bit of a struggle and a steep learning curve ahead, as I found I was only able to walk quite tentatively. It was helpful to utilize first a wheelchair, then a walker, and later crutches as I strove to express more freedom of movement.
A turning point in my progress came after a call with the practitioner during which she said very firmly, referring to a spiritual concept, “It is set.” To me that was like this statement in the Bible about God being omnipotent, having no beginning or ending, “It is done” (Revelation 21:6 ). From then on, I more consistently expected only good results as I counted on divine Love’s awe-inspiring, healing power.
Next, a more normal schedule of activities began for me on campus. And, shortly thereafter, I had the very special opportunity to travel to see my husband. Checking out the possibility of a temporary walking cast felt wise. The physician I visited, on learning that I was a Christian Scientist, insisted on taking an X-ray.
Looking at the X-ray, he seemed impressed, and said that if he had seen me on the day of the fall, he would have rushed me to surgery to insert pins and plates in what had been a badly broken ankle. Yet now, he admitted, he saw an ankle bone that had been perfectly set and a break that had healed in “record time.”
Hearing this, my heart was filled with humble, joyous gratitude. Job’s statement about God from the Bible rang true: “I know that thou canst do every thing” (Job 42:2 ).
The doctor did agree to give me the temporary cast, but warned that if I did not follow up with physical therapy, I probably would not be able to walk normally again because I had extensive ligament damage. I thanked him for his services, but made no commitment to the recommended therapy.
The trip to see my husband was sweet and beautiful. The walking cast came off right after returning from that trip. I was more naturally getting around campus again, until the ankle was completely back to normal. Our car was fixed, too. Repairs were arranged, financed, and paid for in a way I could not have imagined.
After my husband returned, we decided to devote our life together to serving the Christian Science movement. The job positions that followed have involved walking on all kinds of surfaces, many of them rugged, including rock-ribbed mountainsides and a lava-based wilderness with no trouble.
And about that “learning curve” related to having been cared for at the college’s nursing facility and also using the crutches, walker, etc.? Interestingly, a special job opportunity allowed me to serve as a Christian Science nurse for several years.
I found, and still do find, occasions to share my great gratitude for the quality of care Christian Science nurses provide, and also compassion for those patients who temporarily rely on things such as mobility aids along the road to healing victory.
Step by step, this healing showed me we never really fall out of divine Love’s safe embrace. And it so beautifully illustrates the truth Mrs. Eddy’s poem points out, that our only foes are “false fears,” and that “truth tatters those, / When understood” (Poems, p. 79 ).
Suzanne Goewert
Golden Eagle, Illinois, US
