Several years ago, as I was grocery shopping, I suddenly found myself on the floor with my purse, phone, and groceries flying in all directions. Because I had been looking up at the shelves, I hadn’t noticed an eight-foot-long pool of water in the aisle. A gallon bottle had fallen off a shelf and broken, and one could hardly distinguish the water from the highly polished floor. 

Very quickly two store managers were at my side. They apologized for the spill and were very concerned about my well-being. As they helped me to my feet, several sharp pains shot through my knee. It took some effort for me to stand upright. The managers asked if they could get me an ice pack for my knee. When I said no, they offered a pain pill, which I also declined. 

At first, I blamed myself for not having been more alert, but I quickly recognized this thought as not from God and not helpful. As a student of Christian Science, I knew that prayer was what I needed.