In January last year, I was visiting Buenos Aires and enjoying a beautiful walk. As I crossed a street, I heard a horn and loud noises and suddenly saw a city bus bearing down on me fast. I knew I couldn’t get out of the way in time, but I felt no fear. I had been praying about the trip to Argentina, knowing that there is only one Mind, God, who is always protecting and caring for His children. This had given me an abiding peace that stayed with me even in this emergency. 

In the next moment, I bounced off the bus and then off the pavement. I felt no pain and was quickly able to get up, move to a sidewalk bench, and sit down. 

Through my study of Christian Science, I had learned that because God is ever-present, all-powerful good, evil has no real presence or power. God created each one of us in His own image, so we can’t be injured any more than God can. I felt a freedom about shaking off this mishap. I prayerfully insisted, first mentally and then out loud, that I was fine. 

Police and emergency medical personnel soon appeared and started asking me questions while bandaging my ear, face, and knees. I texted a Christian Science practitioner and requested metaphysical treatment. In my message, I tried to minimize the incident by saying, “Please pray for me. Slight accident in Argentina.” The practitioner immediately responded with “Can’t be slight. Either it happened, or it did not. The spiritual fact is that it did not, and that’s the revelation we will aim for.” 

This point about the incident having never actually occurred was helpful. I prayed to understand that no matter how dramatic it seemed or how many people had witnessed it, the accident was in reality just a suggestion that I didn’t have to accept as true. I called my wife back in the United States, and she was unwavering in her support while I prayed to understand my exemption from chance, including accidents. 

The police and paramedics were friendly and helpful, and we were able to communicate in spite of the language barrier. I thanked them for their kindness and for not opposing my desire to continue with my day rather than go to a hospital. I also apologized to the bus driver for my lack of attention while crossing the street. The officials let me go, although there was concern about me being by myself in an unfamiliar country. They said several times that there could be head trauma and internal injuries, but I assured them I would be OK. This was not wishful thinking or ignoring a problem; I really knew it to be the truth about my condition. 

I felt peaceful and embraced by God as I walked back to my hotel. When I arrived, I called the practitioner. It was tempting to replay details of the incident in my mind, but he reminded me of this statement in Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy: “Accidents are unknown to God, or immortal Mind, and we must leave the mortal basis of belief and unite with the one Mind, in order to change the notion of chance to the proper sense of God’s unerring direction and thus bring out harmony” (p. 424). 

I was grateful that I had been protected from serious injury, but the bruises and bandages concerned me. The next day I would be hosting several guests arriving for an educational group trip that I was a part of. I was worried that my appearance would be alarming to them and, frankly, embarrassed to explain what had happened. The practitioner assured me that we could leave these concerns to God’s care. 

I let go of self-consciousness about my appearance, and as the days went by, the bruises were less noticeable, and the bandages got smaller. None of the guests seemed interested in how I looked. Most of them were Christian Scientists and supportive of my full healing. In fact, one guest who was a longtime friend said helpfully, “Just as you are seeing yourself and others as perfect spiritual ideas, everyone is seeing you that way.” After five days, I no longer needed bandages, and several fellow travelers commented to me about the wonderful healing I’d had. There were no scars or lingering problems from the incident. How grateful I am for the practicality and effectiveness of applying Christian Science to any situation.

Ned McCarty
St. Louis, Missouri, US