Healed of persistent pain

When my three children were young, all under the age of five, I stayed at home as a full-time mom. Although I loved my children and found many aspects of motherhood enjoyable, at times I also found it very challenging. I felt as though I had no time for myself and that my days had become a list of endless chores and demands. I was often irritated and impatient, especially if the kids were not obedient or when they got into disagreements with each other. Sometimes a short period of inharmony seemed like an eternity. I yearned for the joy that I knew I should feel.

About this time a pain developed in my head that made it difficult for me to even move without discomfort. The pain was severer than any headache I’d ever had. I found after a few days that I had to be very still and talk quietly in order not to feel pain.

My husband was quite concerned, and I decided to call a Christian Science practitioner for prayerful help. Since finding Christian Science during my college years, I’d had many healings through spiritual means alone, as had my husband and children. I never once doubted that I’d be healed.

From the moment I spoke with the practitioner, I started to have a sense of peace and calm. I began to feel that inner joy that I’d been missing. I’d always thought of God as my Father, but the practitioner talked with me about understanding God as Mother also. I was familiar with this idea from my study of Christian Science, but I’d never really pondered it.

Mary Baker Eddy gave this description of Mother in the Glossary of Science and Health: “God; divine and eternal Principle; Life, Truth, and Love” (Science and Health, p. 592). Praying with the idea of God as Mother, as divine Love caring for all, began to lift the burden from my thought about my children. I began to see that their Mother, God, was truly in charge of them, tenderly guiding and nurturing them. I also began to feel more deeply God’s loving care for me. This new outlook was very comforting. Gradually, my feeling of being overwhelmed with all the demands of motherhood and caring for the home gave way to a more certain reliance on God’s loving presence and power.

The pain in my head did not disappear immediately, but during this time I can remember not being fearful or concerned about my physical condition. I knew that healing was taking place, and I welcomed the opportunity to give more thought to my relationship with God.

I spent as much time as I could praying and studying the Bible and Mary Baker Eddy’s writings. It was a time of renewal and joyful expectation of good. I felt as though an angel presence had come into our home. I was able to care for the children and do all of my household chores, although at a much slower pace. It surprised me that I could get so much done. But my focus was changing. I went from feeling anxious about how I would get everything done to enjoying getting to know my Father-Mother God. I no longer felt the weight of responsibility for daily tasks. The irritation and impatience I’d felt melted away, and I became more easy-going and good-natured. My days were focused on listening for God’s messages, and on being mentally quiet enough to hear these divine inspirations. I was gaining a trust in God’s loving control of my life, and this gave me more grace and calm.

After a period of about a week, I was completely healed. I’m very grateful for the loving prayers of the practitioner and for the holy and helpful spiritual truths he shared with me each day. Through this experience, I became a happier and more contented mother. I became more gentle and patient, and noticed more than ever my children’s lovely, sweet spiritual qualities. I learned that God is indeed the Father and Mother of us all.

Beth Van Horne | Portland, Oregon, US