"Precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept, line upon line, line upon line, here a little and there a little." Isaiah 28:10
"Precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept, line upon line, line upon line, here a little and there a little." Isaiah 28:10
I can actually say that I am grateful for the opportunity to deeply understand what is meant by Mary Baker Eddy’s statement, “My faith in God and in His followers rests in the fact that He is infinite good, and that He gives His followers opportunity to use their hidden virtues, to put into practice the power which lies concealed in the calm and which storms awaken to vigor and to victory” (The First Church of Christ, Scientist and Miscellany, p.204). This has been a year of more difficult challenges as well as deeper inspiration to meet each case. Furthermore, a deeper understanding of the meaning of the hymns by Mary Baker Eddy has come about. I have found myself singing them more and more frequently and have felt their comforting effect.
One Sunday, I decided to cook some vegetables in the oven in a heavy saucepan as I had seen in a cooking show. After serving them, I grabbed the handle to put it in the sink, completely forgetting about where it had been. I ran cold water over my hand while declaring mentally that no accident had occurred. When I sat down at the table, both my sons told me that they were declaring that I “live and move and have my being” in God. The pain seemed overwhelming, so I knew that it was best that I be alone to pray. I first lay down on my couch and began earnestly denying that I had fallen from my natural spiritual state, as well as refusing to allow any of the false claims into thought, such as why was I so stupid as to forget that the pan had been in the oven or to be impressed by the alarming sensations in my hand.
As I prayed on the couch, the pain began subsiding. I pondered one of my favourite Bible passages, “The Lord hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I made thee.” (Jer 31:3). As a great sense of peace came over me, I was soon able to open my hand. At no point did I look at it, knowing that the only mental imprint must be a clear spiritual one.
I sent a message to my practitioner and then fell asleep. When I awoke, the pain had completely subsided as well as the related material sensations. I was immediately uplifted by our practitioner’s message, that I had only been in contact with divine Love and therefore the only effect was good. After pondering the truth in this statement for about 15 minutes, I felt I should be with my family. We played a fun trivia game and then I took the dog for a walk. At one point I felt that I should look at my hand, which I had been able to move quite freely in my pocket. It looked the same as usual. With great gratitude, I showed my husband and sons that I was untouched.
The next day a small water blister seemed to appear. I was at first a bit frustrated, wondering why any further claim could possibly appear. Once I understood that it was nothing more than a seeming “last stand” by mortal mind to have me admit that there can even be a little bit of reality in matter, no trace was left.
I am, of course, deeply grateful to have such proof that matter is unreal. However, what stands out from this experience is the guidance through every step. I felt the presence of the Christ, dispelling the false images, and heard the instructions leading to this waymark of a healing, which I was able to joyfully share with my family.