Above five years ago I began a new job in a law firm. I was hired to replace someone who was planning to leave the firm in a few weeks, and I was to assume her responsibilities after her departure. Well, months went by and she had not left. I felt I was constantly under this individual's scrutiny, and that she was unfairly criticizing my work and had no plans to leave.

Seeking a solution to this situation, I told my story to a Christian Science practitioner. She reminded me that I would not be "replacing" this individual, but simply expressing my own special talents at the firm. I had my own unique niche to fill, just as she did. Mary Baker Eddy wrote, "Each individual must fill his own niche in time and eternity" (Retrospection and Introspection, p. 70). I prayed to establish in my thought the fact that I worked for God alone, and that my true purpose was to glorify Him and see His plan for me established practically.

While this was going on, I'd been taking squash lessons at a nearby athletic club. One evening while I was playing a match with my instructor, I felt a sensation in my calf as if I'd been hit by the squash ball. That clearly wasn't the case, since I had the ball in my hand at that moment, but I was suddenly unable to walk or even put any pressure on my leg.

My friend, a Christian Science nurse, who was also there taking lessons with me, quietly supported my efforts and kindly secured a crutch for me to use to get out to the car and to my home. I spoke with a different Christian Science practitioner (the one I'd been working with wasn't immediately reachable that night), who immediately began to pray for me.

I spent the next few days praying and studying the Bible and Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, by Mary Baker Eddy, at home, and continuing to pray with the first practitioner. I told her that I felt as if my calf had been hit with something and it was difficult to walk, and I also explained again how I felt like a lot was going on in my workplace.

As I prayed, I took comfort from the passage in Isaiah that promises, "They that wait upon the Lord ... shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint" (40:31).

After a few days I was able to take a cab to my office, and I used a pair of crutches to get around. Though it still was not easy to put pressure on the leg, it was less painful, and I felt I was making spiritual progress. The attorney I worked for asked me what had happened, and I told him of how I'd been playing squash and explained that I was relying on Christian Science for healing.

Later, he explained my situation to a houseguest, who happened to be a sports injury physician, and he worried that without surgery I could be an invalid for the rest of my life. This was disturbing to me, and I found myself sadly informing the practitioner of his prediction. She calmly and confidently reminded me that I had nothing to fear, because my identity was spiritual. That simple thought really woke me up and broke my fear of the injury.

It was a challenge not to yield to discouragement when healing wasn't immediate. I took comfort from the following passage in Science and Health: "Individuals are consistent who, watching and praying, can 'run, and not be weary; ... walk, and not faint,' who gain good rapidly and hold their position, or attain slowly and yield not to discouragement" (p. 254). I endeavored to see this as an opportunity to better know my spiritual perfection. I also prayed with another passage on the same page: "When we wait patiently on God and seek Truth righteously, He directs our path."

After my discomfort had gone on for more than a week, I decided to commit some time to rest and prayerful study at a nearby Christian Science nursing facility. This visit was very helpful in gaining a stronger, freer sense of my purpose and identity. I began to see that neither physical nor professional problems could interfere with my spiritual purpose of expressing God, and I prayed to see myself as a reflection of Mind's activity. I gave a lot of thought to the idea from Science and Health that "harmonious action proceeds from Spirit, God" (p. 480), and I got a deeper understanding of my own completeness as a spiritual idea of God. I saw that my real purpose is always to serve and glorify God in everything I do, and with this understanding I felt the "divine energy of Spirit" refreshing and uplifting me.

Shortly after my stay I enjoyed complete freedom in walking—in fact, I was back on the squash and tennis courts in just a few weeks.

The situation at the firm was also resolved harmoniously, I developed a cordial relationship with the individual who had criticized me, and she soon retired. I grew a lot in the new position, and was able to contribute actively to the firm. I'm so grateful for this time of growing closer to God and gaining a greater sense of His love, tender care, and goodness. I'm also so grateful for the dedicated Christian Science nurses and practitioners who support this wonderful and practical healing Science.

SUSAN OZANNE
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA, US