It was the first time I had ever known my dad to be ill. He had been home from the office for several days and was not improving. When I got back from school on this particular day, he was sitting in his big chair—and I burst into tears because he looked so unwell. He asked me to get my Sunday School books (referring to the Bible, and Science and Health by Mrs. Eddy), and then we read together all my favorite passages. He said he wanted to read me one of his favorites, from Job; this was it: "Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him." ^{Job 13:15;} Then he sent me to my room to do my homework, and I went—greatly encouraged and peaceful.

A couple of hours later, at dinner, there at the head of the table was my dad, looking just like himself. The next day he returned to the office. What an impression this healing made on an eleven-year-old girl! I have never forgotten the importance of standing steadfast.

Our Leader, Mrs. Eddy, tells us, "Christian Science is absolute; it is neither behind the point of perfection nor advancing towards it; it is at this point and must be practised therefrom." ^{The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Miscellany, p. 242;} Principle is God, the author of changeless perfection and order. Man is the evidence of this absolute perfection, just as changeless in good as his Father-Mother God.

There are many instances in the Bible of the healing power of firm steadfastness. Moses at the Red Sea; Daniel in the lions' den; Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego in the fiery furnace— these are but a few of them. Moses knew God would not desert him or the children of Israel, regardless of the alarming material picture. The story of Daniel shows he never for an instant doubted God's ability and willingness to protect him, in spite of the hungry look on the lions' faces. The three Hebrews were so convinced of God's power and love for them that they were unharmed by the fire. God's omnipotence to them was far greater than furnace heat, and they emerged without even the smell of smoke. Wasn't their steadfastness, rather than their coming out of the flames unharmed, the greater part of their demonstration? Indeed it was the standing, the steadfastness, that enabled them to emerge. Their absolute faith brought the protection, not vice versa. The time to be most steadfast is when you seem most submerged in the problem!

We have the same God and the same power—the power of the Christ—available and operative today.

What better gift could we give our children than to show them how we turn to God for healing and remain steady in the truth of His allness? Surely, to see that God heals completely, spontaneously, and finally, to see such healings take place in the home, to see God acknowledged and trusted as the only physician will strengthen and prosper an absolute faith in Him. Is there a greater gift? I don't think so.

I look back on that day in my childhood with great gratitude. Its lesson is still operative in my life, and always will be. There have been several occasions when I too have been able to say with Job, "Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him," and healing has come. I have found, like Job, that God is good. Only the evil has been destroyed.

There is no other power to turn to but God's power, no other way to go. Paul tells us: "Having done all, ... stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; ... above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked." ^{Eph. 6:13, 14, 16.}

We can all learn to stand firm. We must!