From the February 29, 2016 issue of the Christian Science Sentinel.

The Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, Mary Baker Eddy, tells us, “Every mortal at some period, here or hereafter, must grapple with and overcome the mortal belief in a power opposed to God” (Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, p. 569). Here is an account of a time when I grappled with several false mortal beliefs while dealing with the physical effects of a fall.

After misjudging my speed biking around a steep, sharp curve, I landed hard on my right side. When I got up, I was unable to fully use my right arm. To address the pain and fear, I turned to God in prayer during the rather long walk back to the car. My husband and I pondered Genesis 1:14–19, which I had previously been studying. In her exegesis of verse 15 of this chapter, Mrs. Eddy states: “Truth and Love enlighten the understanding, in whose ‘light shall we see light;’ and this illumination is reflected spiritually by all who walk in the light and turn away from a false material sense” (Science and Health, p. 510). I saw that I could refute the testimony of the five material senses, by affirming and better understanding the spiritual fact that there is no power opposed to God. This calmed my thought, and some of the scratches on my arm had healed by the time we got back to the car.

As soon as I got home, I called a Christian Science practitioner for Christian Science treatment. Over the next week, with the help of family members, I was able to do things such as getting dressed and maintaining my regular violin teaching schedule. However, one night I awoke in great fear that the bones of the arm were not healing properly.

The next morning, my husband and I discussed going to have the arm X-rayed. But then the thought came to go to a Christian Science nursing facility instead, as I wanted to rely on Christian Science for healing and it seemed wise to have the practical assistance of a Christian Science nurse.

Within an hour I was admitted to the closest Christian Science nursing facility. A Christian Science nurse provided a sling to help support my arm, and the staff set up a large table in my room so that I could spread out Christian Science materials and study without having to move them too much. This helped ease the fear I had felt during the night.

I had an inspiring talk on the phone with the practitioner, too. She reminded me that God is All, the only power, and that He is Love. As His spiritual reflection, we are subject only to good and harmony. The book of Ephesians in the Bible gave me much healing inspiration, particularly the part that talks about “speaking the truth in love” and “the whole body fitly joined together” (4:15, 16). While this passage was specifically referring to the church body, it reinforced my understanding of God as Love and of man’s true identity as God’s harmonious, whole, loved creation.

It turned out I needed to stay only about 24 hours at the Christian Science nursing facility. Those wonderful hours of study and prayer proved to be pivotal in my gaining a greater degree of dominion over the mortal beliefs of accident, injury, and discord. After supper that first day there, I felt a slight movement in my arm, as though an adjustment was taking place; and I was able to take a fairly long walk around the neighborhood in comfort and without the sling.

A complete healing of the arm took place. Two weeks following the incident, I was teaching at a state music festival, freely playing on all four strings of my violin. Within a month, I was moving boxes and furniture as we reorganized our home. I have full use of and range of motion in the arm. In the two summers since this healing, my husband and I have biked approximately 500 miles each season!

Another blessing came out of this experience. During my prayerful study that day at the Christian Science nursing facility, it became clear that more love was needed in dealing with a difficult situation with a colleague. A class we taught together was not going well. But because God is Love, and we are God’s expression, it’s natural for us to feel and express love. My prayers led me to ask this colleague to meet the following week. I had a prayerful expectation that harmony would be manifested, and this was the case. From that point on we were able to work together peacefully and harmoniously. Although this woman found a different teaching situation shortly thereafter, our friendship continues to this day, and we still collaborate several times a year at teaching workshops.

My gratitude overflows for the lessons I learn in Christian Science.

Patty Nuernberg
Kent, Washington, US