A year ago, when attending a Sunday morning church service, I climbed some unfamiliar marble stairs that I thought looked steep and treacherous. Following the service, as my friend and I were leaving the auditorium by the same stairs, I missed a step at the top of the lower flight and fell down to the bottom of the stairway on my back. The thought that came to me was to say calmly out loud several times, “I am not hurt, I am not hurt,” so that the friend who was with me and the usher at the bottom of the stairs would not be concerned. 

Through my study and practice of Christian Science, I had come to completely trust God’s tender care for all of us. As the Bible says, “He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. . . . Because thou hast made the Lord, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation; there shall no evil befall thee . . . . For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways” (Psalms 91:1, 9–11).

After a few moments of quiet prayer and gratitude to God, I got up, and my friend and I went on with our plans for the day. Two days later, I spent at least nine hours sitting on a plane with no discomfort. 

As I have reflected on this experience many times in the months since, I understand better how important it is to watch our thoughts and not think of anything as dangerous or capable of doing harm. How can anything cause evil when God, good, has all power?

I also realized that I did not feel any fear during or after this experience. I believe I was the beneficiary of church members near and far praying for the Sunday service and for a church event I was attending that weekend.

What a comfort it is to know that wherever I am and whatever the circumstances, God is right with me, leading me, providing for me, holding me, loving me.

Nancy Battey
Walnut Creek, California, US