Perseverance in prayer heals severe skin condition

Maria T. Cabrera

Early in 1990 my husband and I moved. We had purchased a beautiful home, and I was very happy with the prospect of decorating it. My other two goals were to join a branch Church of Christ, Scientist, and get a job.

No sooner had we moved in when a most discomforting condition appeared on my hands and knees. I began praying right away, but seeing that the condition continued to develop, I got in touch with a Christian Science practitioner for treatment. To my dismay the condition spread until it covered my whole body. I was able to join a branch church and serve, with discomfort, but I was not able to get a job. Most of my time was spent in bed, either studying or trying to sleep because it seemed that was the only time I had some comfort. For the first time in the many years I had been a student of Christian Science I wanted to give up. What kept me going were healings that l'd had in the past. Some of these had taken time, but invariably when healing came I had not only been returned to soundness but had also progressed spiritually.

I am very grateful for the spiritual growth gained during this experience.

I studied and prayed diligently, but to no avail, it seemed. When the physical condition could get no worse, a letter from my Christian Science Students Association arrived. The letter spoke of perseverance in treatment. It shared the ex perience of a woman who had a disease considered incurable and how she persisted in reading Science and Health until she was healed.

When I finished reading the letter, I felt impelled to go to the next room and turn on the television set. To my dismay, in an hour troops from the United States were to be sent to an area where conflict had broken out. I normally pray about such situations, but I felt an even greater need to pray this time because my son was among the troops assigned to the area. I dialed my son's number, and he answered, confirming that he was to leave shortly. I told him we would pray for him. My husband was at work, so I called him with the news. His answer put to rest all my fear as he assured me that our son's innocence would protect him. With this, I returned to my bed and started reading Science and Health.

I remember clearly the stage of despair in which I started reading. At first I read very quickly. When I finished reading the book the first time, I seemed no better than before. I started all over again. This time I kept a calendar to record the progress of my reading. By the third time, I was digging deeper and study ing ideas. I used the dictionary and kept a notebook to make sure I knew the meaning of every word. During this reading I was having short periods of time when there was no pain or discomfort. I was also growing spiritually—learning patience, consecration, letting go of outlining. I continued reading, a fourth and fifth time, until I was completely healed! I would like to add that our son returned safely, and that during the time he was abroad my husband and I had no fear with regard to his safety.

I am very grateful for the spiritual growth gained during this experience and for all the blessings that have followed. I remember the lessons learned with a lot of gratitude. Mrs. Eddy says, "The devotion of thought to an honest achievement makes the achievement possible" (Science and Health, p. 199). I also remember with much love the help I received from my husband and from the practitioner who answered my calls, sometimes several times a day. Words cannot convey my gratitude for Christian Science and for our textbook, Science and Health, which unlocks the treasures of the Bible.

Maria T. Cabrera
Boston, Massachusetts

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