It was a beautiful summer day, and our son and his family had come over for some boating and swimming. It was too hot for Sunny, their large golden retriever, to go out with them on the boat. Sunny is playful and very strong and can get into mischief, but I was fine with her staying with me in the house.

As I went about my activities, Sunny stayed on the lower level of our house watching for everyone to return. After a while, I prepared to take her outside. I attached her leash and wrapped it around my hand to get a good hold on it. As I opened the sliding door, Sunny rushed out and pulled me out with her. Within seconds, the force of her headlong rush had pulled the leash up around my arm, and I could not free myself until she stopped pulling.

The strain on my arm, wrist, and hand resulted in stiffness and discomfort. It is natural for me to pray to God and recognize that all discord, including injury, is nothing more than an illegitimate suggestion coming to thought. I immediately recalled this guidance from Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy: “Stand porter at the door of thought. Admitting only such conclusions as you wish realized in bodily results, you will control yourself harmoniously” (p. 392).