Driving alone on a deserted highway a few years ago, I fell asleep at the wheel. The motion of the car as it crossed the dirt shoulder shook me awake moments before the car crashed. In that brief instant I called out, "God is omnipotent, omnipresent, omniscient."

The car impacted into a gully of dense tree brush and was a total wreck. But though the windshield had been completely shattered by branches, not one bit of glass had become dislodged. My gratitude for and confidence in God's care overshadowed me.

The driver of a passing truck had seen the accident and immediately called for police, ambulance, and tow truck. I was taken to a hospital, where X-rays of my back revealed complex fractures. Finally, I was able to reach some friends and request help through prayer from a Christian Science practitioner. I also arranged to be taken to a nursing facility where I could be cared for by Christian Science nurses.

Flat on my back and feeling helpless, I began a process of physical and spiritual reformation. Through it all I continued to be grateful for and confident of God's care. I learned to listen well to the weekly Bible Lesson from the Bible and Science and Health by Mrs. Eddy. The messages of spiritual truth in these lessons were becoming increasingly clear to me.

I did not ruminate over my circumstances. I kept my sight on God every step of the way! Divine Love was like water wings holding my thought up. Out of this steadfast prayer and work the beauty of holiness was taking possession of me. As Hymn 3 from the Christian Science Hymnal says:

I recall the day two loyal friends were driving a long way to see me. Their visit provided an occasion to resist just lying on my back. I greeted my friends with all my heart, sitting up for the first time. It was a huge step forward. I was cultivating love step by step.

Very important to me was claiming and proving the agelessness of man, the child of God, eternal Life. This agelessness is man's divine right, and I knew perfect, eternal living is natural to God's man. I was full of joy and experienced increasing activity with these realizations. Soon I was able to be out of bed sitting in an armchair, still deeply studying the Bible and Science and Health.

Besides the effects of the accident, something else was being healed. Previous to the accident I had prayerfully searched for some months for release from a mistaken sense of responsibility for and distress concerning injustice in world events. Now, through this experience, I was learning that you cannot heal by dwelling upon the evidence of material sense, which makes you sink, not rise. You have to keep your confidence in God. There is no other means of healing body, world, or injustice.

My focus on the eternal nature of Life and Love changed my habits of thought. Before long I realized I had found the divine way. I knew I was to trust God in all things. How wonderful! I could love and forgive! And I was beginning to walk.

With all this spiritual transformation, after less than three months I walked unsupported into my home, permanently restored. My back was straight, which it had not been before.

I feel reborn, and full of a new sense of Love and Life. I am profoundly grateful that my life has been based on Christian Science from childhood. The rewards of this have been deep and expanding.

Mary Evelyn Hovestad
Tampa, Florida