At one time my foot became badly infected. In praying about the condition, I found this verse from Revelation very helpful: "And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie" (21:27). This made me realize that my identity could not be invaded by a lie called infection. I am a spiritual idea—God's likeness. I am not material. God is the only power, therefore pain and infection have no power.

When the inflammation began extending up my leg, however, I became fearful. At that point I asked a Christian Science practitioner to treat me through prayer. The practitioner encouraged me to turn my thought away from the alarming material picture and to remember that my true identity as the reflection of God is spiritual, perfect, harmonious, and free from pain.

The next day the practitioner came out to the farm to visit me. She explained that my perfection is unvariable and pointed out this statement in Science and Health: "A spiritual idea has not a single element of error, and this truth removes properly whatever is offensive" (p. 463). This was a wonderful help in stopping me from constantly checking on the condition of the foot, and kept my thought focused on my spiritual perfection and freedom.

After two days of persistent prayer, the foot drained and the swelling went down. All signs of infection disappeared. I rejoiced. My foot was completely healed. This experience taught me to be constant in knowing that because God is my Maker He has made me harmonious, complete, pure. I also learned not to be afraid.

This lesson in overcoming fear has also been helpful to me more recently. For the first time our daughter now lives over two thousand kilometres from home at a university residential college. Late one night she called in great distress, saying she was unable to breathe easily or to stop coughing. Apparently the illness was "going round" the university. Immediately I reached out to God in prayer for help. The message came to me that she was not alone. Our Father-Mother God was right there with her. We had nothing to fear. I told her this and reminded her of what Science and Health says: "Man is not matter; he is not made up of brain, blood, bones, and other material elements. ... Man is idea, the image, of Love; he is not physique" (p. 475).

I said I would continue praying, but asked if she would also like me to call a Christian Science practitioner for treatment. I felt that I too needed reassurance. After speaking with the practitioner I continued to pray about the situation. I saw that I had to be calm and relinquish fear for our daughter's well-being. The twenty-third Psalm was so comforting and helpful. It reminded me that although our daughter was far from us, she was safe in God's care. When the thought came that only I as her mother could look after her adequately, the psalm's message reassured me that divine Love was present with her, looking after her, supplying her every need. In the days following, this was proved, as when the kitchen staff and a friend lovingly attended to her needs. I am so grateful that at each step of this experience as I prayed diligently I was freed of fear for her. When the healing took place, we all rejoiced.

I am so grateful for Christian Science, which has taught me that our children are God's children first. As a parent I can always be assured that my family is safe in our Father-Mother's care. Each healing I have experienced shows that I can rely on God's help in every circumstance.

Helen N. Cronin
Linthorpe, Queensland, Australia

I am the daughter mentioned in the testimony, and I confirm that the healing took place as my mother has described it. The healing occurred in my first year of university, and I was still getting acquainted with being away from home. It was a helpful thought to know that I was never alone and that God was always there with me. I am very grateful to God for this healing.

Jacqueline Cronin