In January of this year, whilst I was serving as an attendant in my local Christian Science Reading Room, my colleague looked at me and remarked that I needed attention. I didn’t know what she was referring to, so I checked myself in a mirror in the washroom and saw signs of what I thought might be an allergic reaction. Although I didn’t feel any discomfort, my face and neck were red, swollen, and disfigured. But so unimpressed was I by this that I was not fearful. 

I’ve learned in studying Christian Science that I am made in God’s image and likeness (see Genesis 1:26, 27). What I saw in the mirror was clearly not that resemblance, and I reasoned that this picture therefore had no reality. I knew it was not really me; it was a counterfeit, a mask, a lie, unreal.

However, my wife, who was also in the Reading Room, was so shocked by what she saw that she began to cry. I have relied on Christian Science for many years for effective health care, and I reassured her that I was safe. I began to pray silently.