My cousin and I were brought up in a family that relied on Christian Science. After a recent church meeting, my cousin remarked that I must have had many healings as a child, as he certainly had had. I thought about this later and realized that, yes, I’d had physical healings, but my strongest memory is one of protection. The conviction that I was cared for by my loving Father-Mother God was consistently present and encouraged by my parents. I developed a reliance on God that brought many examples of protection.

I recall one occasion from my early 20s. I was driving a short distance to my grandmother’s house. My car had trouble, but I was able to pull over to the shoulder. My brother had set off separately for my grandmother’s house, and I knew he would be there already. I couldn’t call him because this was in a time before mobile phones. I realized that he would come and look for me, but it might be a long wait. 

Just then, a car pulled up and a man offered his help. He couldn’t see what was wrong with my car but said he would give me a lift to my destination, where I could call a mechanic. It seemed like a kind offer. Rather than stand there in the dark, I got in his car. 

As the driver quickly pulled away, I realized there were three other men in the car. My intuition told me that this wasn’t a good idea, and it dawned on me that I had been foolish to get into the car. I began to look out the window very obviously, saying that I was looking out for my brother, who would be concerned and searching for me.

As we approached some houses, I said I was grateful for their help, but that I would get out now. The driver pulled over, and I was free to leave. I didn’t tell anyone about the incident at the time because I felt embarrassed about the decision to get in a car with strangers. I also had to forgive myself; I was comforted by the understanding that foolishness was not a God-given quality, and I couldn’t be punished for trusting God’s children to be honorable. 

My grandmother had given me my first copy of the Christian Science textbook, Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy. Inside the cover she wrote, “S&H, page 578, Psalm 23.” I have always loved Mrs. Eddy’s version of the psalm and the sense of caring it brings: “I will fear no evil: for [Love] is with me; [Love’s] rod and [Love’s] staff they comfort me.” 

We are all individually known and loved by our Father-Mother God. God meets our needs; Love’s care is practical. In the case with those men, my need was to express fearlessness and confidence, both of which were provided. My sense of protection came from understanding my identity as spiritual, not material, the eternally safe child of God. This is an absolute truth I still frequently affirm for myself and my family.

At a recent testimony meeting, I hadn’t prepared a specific testimony for the meeting, but as I sat there thinking, the instance of protection came to me. I realized how I had moved on; I had been healed by forgiving myself and learning from the experience. Unfortunately, I remembered the incident too late to share the testimony that night. 

I walked back to my car with my cousin and another member to where we were parked. After finishing up our chat, they drove off, but I sat alone in my car for a few minutes, checking my phone.

Suddenly, the passenger door opened, and a man slid into the passenger seat. He had been drinking and still held a bottle in a paper bag. He wanted a light for his cigarette, but I told him with quiet confidence that I didn’t want him to smoke in my car. He assented, but he made no attempt to get out of the car. Instead, he asked me to give him a lift. I thought driving him to the nearby railway station, a busy area with lights and people, was the best option.

As I started driving, he said he had been watching me talk earlier and thought I looked like a nice lady. He put his hand on my arm, and I was able to tell him to keep his hands to himself or I wouldn’t give him the lift. He apologized. My thoughts went back to my unspoken testimony. I had no fear whatsoever; I felt utterly, divinely prepared to handle this situation. 

I told the man that I had come from a church meeting, where we had shared how God loves us. When he started to talk offensively, I told him firmly that God loved him so very much. He grew quiet and, shortly after, asked to be dropped off. I pulled over, and he got out. He thanked me and said that I was a kind person. Throughout the encounter, I had not been threatened and nothing had been taken. 

On both occasions, only the Christ, God’s message of love to His children, had been right there with me. 

Angela Finch
London, England