I wish to express my gratitude for the many healings that the study and practice of Christian Science have brought me since I began attending Christian Science Sunday School at age four.

Here’s a recent example: About a year ago, I awoke one morning with severe pain in my right hip. Immediately, I was alert to the need to fully deny the belief that any of God’s children could suffer or be hindered from actively expressing Him throughout their daily activities.

My wife agreed to pray with me to overcome this belief. In my prayer, I also specifically challenged the aggressive notion of being an aging mortal. Recognizing that there is a continual onslaught of advertising regarding aging and disease and the limitations associated with both, I took a powerful stand to deny these mental pictures. I was reinforced in this by reading that week’s Bible Lesson found in the Christian Science Quarterly, which included Isaiah 40:31: “They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.”

After praying this way, I felt inspired to get dressed and move ahead with the activities I had planned for that day, including numerous yard projects. At each stage of my work, whenever I felt pain, I denied its reality, knowing that it was not created by God, and reversed the claim of pain with the understanding in Christian Science that I am perfect “even as [my] Father which is in heaven is perfect” (Matthew 5:48). These verses from Proverbs were also a support: “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths” (3:5, 6).

In the latter part of the day, I took up one of my favorite activities—wood bowl turning, which requires a lot of total body movement as I am fashioning a bowl from a log. 

When I was ready for bed that night, I reviewed the daily activities and was able to express gratitude that the pain was almost gone. By the next day, I was free, and I continued to feel and express gratitude to God throughout the day.

I am also most grateful for God’s protection on long-distance drives. I know that we have been and continue to be fully protected. In several instances when driving, I was alerted to perform actions not normally done, and this resulted in full protection from any mishap. My daily study of the Christian Science Bible Lessons helps me to begin each day renewed by Christlike thinking and to experience peace.

John Hymes, Jr.
Longs, South Carolina, US