I've had so many proofs of God's love and protection through prayer based on what I've learned in the study of Christian Science that I can't begin to share them all.

A healing of an illness I had many years ago continues to inspire me. While it was not medically diagnosed, the symptoms indicated a kidney infection. I asked a Christian Science practitioner to pray for me. One morning I woke with a sense of great peace. Nothing could invade it. I felt that I had glimpsed heaven. This inspiration lasted three days, and I thanked God over and over for it. I felt well and was able to resume my normal activities.

However, in the following months there were often attacks of severe pain. These would subside when I prayed. One day our family was exploring a caboose at a railroad museum, when an attack came. I sat down on a bench and prayed. I asked what I needed to know that would bring complete and permanent healing. Then I listened.

The thought came to me that God is Love, and that He was loving me right then. "But," I protested, "I didn't study the Bible Lesson this morning" (I usually did). The following thoughts came rapidly: "I do not study the Lesson so that God will love me; He loves me whether I study it or not. I don't have to earn His love; I don't have to deserve His love; I don't even have to want His love—I have it. There's nothing that can ever change the divine fact of God's unconditional love for me." As I rejoiced in these ideas, the pain faded away and never came back. Two days later I painlessly passed what appeared to be two kidney stones. There has been no further difficulty in tewnty years.

More recently a very quick healing came after my hand was slammed in a van door. I am a teaching assistant in a kindergarten class, and the class was going to the beach for the day. Several of us rode in the van to avoid overcrowding the school bus. At the time there was no pain; I calmly stated that my hand was caught in the door and asked that the door be opened. After determining that my hand wasn't bleeding, I tucked it under my leg. By then it was quite painful. I was not afraid, but the others were very concerned. I assured them that it was not bleeding, and it would be fine.

On the way to the beach I vigorously prayed to feel the presence and power of God. I remembered the studying and praying I had done that morning to recognize God's control over every event of the day, and I reaffirmed there could be no accidents because of this divine control. I rejoiced in the spiritual fact of safety—not in spite of an accident, but instead of it. When the friend who had shut the door again asked about the hand, I assured her it was fine, and added in a light tone, "Don't worry, I'm not going to sue you." At that instant the pain was healed.

As we approached the beach I thanked God for being the only Mind there is, and for His knowing only His own perfection. This was all that could be evident. When we arrived and got out of the van my friend grabbed my hand, saying she wanted to see it right away. She examined it closely. It was perfect, except for a slight redness across the knuckles, which soon disappeared. I wiggled my fingers and hand to demonstrate complete freedom. At no time was there any more pain, or any restricted activity.

I am so very grateful for Mary Baker Eddy, who loved God enough to search for an understanding of Him with all her heart, and who loved mankind enough to tell the world what she found.

Joan T. Lucht
Wauwatosa, Wisconsin