Freedom of movement restored

In the fall of 2018, after what had seemed to be only a slight back-pulling injury, my condition rapidly worsened. At times I was nearly immobile and almost always in great physical discomfort. There were a couple of overseas trips already on my calendar, and with daily prayerful treatment from a Christian Science practitioner, I was able to complete both. Progress in healing was sporadic, however. Several times my condition worsened, and I began to wonder if I’d ever experience painless movement again.

From the beginning of this experience, Paul’s statement in Acts 17:28, “In [God] we live, and move, and have our being,” was a beacon. There was not a day that I did not claim that spiritual fact for myself. I found it especially helpful to read the accounts of spiritual healing in Miscellaneous Writings 1883–1896 (see pp. 401–460) and in the chapter “Fruitage” in Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures—both books by Mary Baker Eddy. I also began reading Science and Health again, chapter by chapter.

Every day, through phone calls and email, I felt the loving support and encouragement of the practitioner. I prayed with spiritual truths about alignment, accord, harmony, and ability, and I strove to understand more clearly that alignment and movement stem not from muscles, bones, and nerves, but from God, Mind, the true source of all feeling and movement.

Progress became more steady. My favorite winter sport, cross-country skiing, was nearly impossible at the beginning of Christmas break with our grandchildren. But with persistent trust in God’s law of harmony, I was able to nearly complete my usual uphill ski route after a couple of weeks. In early January, back in my home city, I rejoiced one midday when I was able to walk to a meeting and back without debilitating discomfort.

Restful sleep, which hadn’t been coming easily, became more natural and consistent. In February I was able to join a group of friends for our annual ski week; I did not miss a day of cross-country or downhill skiing, and experienced total freedom. Inwardly I sang hymns of praise and gratitude.

This healing was not quick, but when I look back on the lessons learned and the spiritual growth gained, I feel deeply thankful. I learned the importance of persistence and of taking a stand moment by moment. I learned to challenge the false claim of pain, knowing it doesn’t come from God, good, and therefore has no authority. I recognized more fully the deception of time, and the need to measure progress from a spiritual instead of a material standpoint—“according to the good that is unfolded” (Science and Health, p. 584).

I learned to turn away from the opinions and advice of well-meaning friends and family members, and instead look only to God for the truth of my being. The Bible and Mrs. Eddy’s writings gave me solid spiritual facts to lean on, and I gained a deeper understanding of the spiritual source of activity and ability. I appreciated the opportunity and privilege to acknowledge that for all mankind.

Gratitude played a big role in the healing—gratitude for little steps of progress, for the steadfast prayers of the practitioner, and for the daily support of my husband, who demonstrated a capacity for tender nursing that neither of us knew he had. I feel a joyous kinship with the crippled man mentioned in Acts 3:8, who, when healed by Peter, entered the temple “walking, and leaping, and praising God.”