Soon after my arrival to attend a summer session at a midwestern college, I fell down a flight of rough stone steps, striking my head on the walk below. I was in a group taking a tour of the campus, but I was able to assure them that I was all right. However, by the time we reached the next building, I was feeling dizzy and a little weak. While the others browsed through the rooms, I remained in the hall and rested. There was a temptation to believe that my skull might have been fractured, something that had happened to a younger brother many years earlier. At that moment a passage from Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mrs. Eddy came to mind (p. 392): "Stand porter at the door of thought. Admitting only such conclusions as you wish realized in bodily results, you will control yourself harmoniously." This statement dispelled the fear of head injury, and my head never bothered me again.

Still, my left arm became useless and quite painful. That night, when the pain seemed almost unbearable, I recalled a verse from one of Mrs. Eddy's poems, "Christ My Refuge" (Poems, p. 12):

Pondering these words, I was able to sleep. Also sustaining was the acknowledgment that God could restore me to wholeness, followed by the added realization, "You are whole now!" Yes, I reasoned, right now I'm perfect as God's spiritual idea, but I must accept this truth. By morning the arm, from elbow to finger tips, was swollen and misshapen. The evidence indicated the possibility of broken bones. Part of Mrs. Eddy's answer to the question "What is man?" came to thought (Science and Health, p. 475): "Man is not matter; he is not made up of brain, blood, bones, and other material elements." This banished fear of the swelling. Also helpful was this verse from the ninety-first Psalm (v. 7): "A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee." "'A thousand' what? 'Ten thousand' what?" I asked myself. The answer: a thousand superstitions, ten thousand theories and human beliefs, including the misconception that when one is an octogenarian (which I am), bones do not heal readily. I took this logic further by realizing that God's man has never been born into matter but has always existed as a spiritual idea in divine Mind. Therefore mortal arguments of age could not impose themselves on me.

When full healing did not come as quickly as I might have wished, I prayed with a desire to let the lessons from this experience richly bless me. Most frequently I felt encouraged to be more patient and steadfast. I gave thanks as I took each forward step, confident that reliance on God would enable me to take the next step. And so it proved to be. In three days I was able to carry my tray to meals in the dining room, and to carry a light tote bag over my left arm.

Participation in all my classes and other activities was highly enjoyable. At the close of the session I could do everything that was necessary to pack for the trip home. Within another week I was typing with ease and using both hands freely. My healing was complete.

For more than sixty-five years, study of Christian Science has taught me that God always takes us all the way. Our task is to follow His leading, never doubting His generous, constant provision. I cannot imagine being without divine Science, which beautifully guides us back again and again to God, who satisfies all human needs.

FLORENCE PAULINE KLINE
Lakewood, Ohio