Testimony of Healing February 21, 2011 Issue

A quick healing

Galen Benson

Each morning I wake up very early, repeating and thinking about “the scientific statement of being” from Science and Health (see p. 468). I then have a couple of things to do; for example, walk my dog. But after a few tasks, I hunker down with the Christian Science Bible Lesson. Not only do I try to find spiritual insight pertaining to that particular week, but I also try to find tidbits regarding protection and harmony and how this relates to divine Mind and my relationship with Mind. 

I find that this is invaluable and truly believe that with this type of preparation for the day, I am alert and aware of the power of Love in my life (and all of the ramifications that come from spiritual commitment and discipline). I know that this helped me listen through the mortal clatter, and hear what I needed for a wonderful healing to take place.

Students: Get
JSH-Online for
$5/mo

  • Every recent & archive issue

  • Podcasts & article audio

  • Mary Baker Eddy bios & audio

Subscribe

One evening I was doing what I do every night: closing the curtains in our kids’ rooms. I was sort of balanced on the top of a futon and slipped, sliding off onto the floor. Near the bottom of the futon was a flathead screw just sticking out of its normal place. And, somehow, I ended up being stabbed by it before I landed. I actually had to disengage my knee from the object before I could lower my leg completely to the ground. There was a lot of pain. As I lay there, the thought came that I had a choice to make: 1) healing through prayer, beginning with peace of mind; or 2) succumbing to fearful thoughts (“Will I ever be able to walk or run again?”) and pain (“Ouch!”). I chose number one. Interestingly, when I knew there was a choice to be made, and I made the choice, the pain stopped. 

Immediately, I recalled two excerpts from the Bible that I had read earlier that day in the Lesson. The first story was about Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego and how they went through the fire without even a hair on their heads being singed (see Dan., chap. 3). The second passage was from Psalm 139, which I’ve sometimes called “Whither”: “Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence? If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there. If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me” (7–10). 

I knew then with absolute certainty that God is with me always, protecting and guiding me, even if I imagine that I am in “hell,” any sort of hellish or painful situation. Thoughts from Love flooded me, and peace enveloped me. 

I just lay there quietly on the floor for probably an hour praying and didn’t look at my knee. During this time, my wife watched the kids in another room. She said she was praying, too. The kids were curious but very peaceful; in other words, I didn’t sense any fear from them.

When I did get up, and didn’t know if I would be able to walk, I asked my wife to support me as I made my way to the bathroom. I found out that I could walk and support my weight. Then, I cleaned the wound and put a bandage on it, said good night to the kids, and went into our room. I raised the leg on some pillows and went to sleep. 

The next day, I decided to take the morning off to pray and rest. I could have gone back to my routine in the afternoon, but decided after a relaxing morning that being at home was spiritually rewarding. The next day, I returned to work with no limits on my movement. 

At my yearly Christian Science association meeting a couple of weeks later, I was so fine that I followed my annual tradition of walking from the airport to my hotel, and then all over the place afterward. I walk and run now with total freedom.

I’m learning that the messages that we need to hear are always being communicated to us from God. And, by starting each day prayerfully—kind of like tuning a radio and finding that right frequency—we will be prepared for what we need to hear, as the mental “dial” is already set. 

Galen Benson 
Colorado, US

Send a comment to the editors
NEXT IN THIS ISSUE
From the Editors
What do we cling to?
February 21, 2011
Contents

We'd love to hear from you!

Easily submit your testimonies, articles, and poems online.

Submit