I arrived at a campground by myself after dark and suddenly needed assistance with mobility. I could not walk or get out of my car. I had food, water, and a warm sleeping bag, so I arranged myself for the night and prayed about the unassailable perfection established and maintained by God’s law. This quote from Rudimental Divine Science inspired me: “You must feel and know that God alone governs man; that His government is harmonious; that He is too pure to behold iniquity, and divides His power with nothing evil or material; that material laws are only human beliefs, which govern mortals wrongfully” (10).
I was blessed with cell service at my camping spot, and early the next morning, I was able to reach a dear friend who is a Christian Science practitioner. My mental focus sharpened, and the material picture ceased to be overwhelming. My perspective shifted to see this as a spiritual opportunity to be cherished and that progress would result. My friend assisted with contacting Fern Lodge. Within an hour, two Christian Science nurses jumped in a car, drove three hours to meet me at the campground, and drove me and my car to Fern Lodge.
My prayerful study was supported by the unwavering conviction held by the staff at Fern Lodge that perfection is already present. At the end of the week, I could walk, and I drove off knowing the lessons I learned were now a permanent part of my life.
I was experiencing tension with another individual. I was praying about the situation and had asked a Christian Science practitioner to provide support. One day the individual visited me and asked for forgiveness in tears. I felt the spirit of receptivity and Church coming together to recognize God, Love. Pain in my back also vanished. I have so much gratitude for Fern Lodge and its mission to help those in need.
I was asked to prepare a reading about unity for a meeting at Fern Lodge. It was my first day back from vacation. All kinds of issues were happening all at once and I didn’t know what to do. The thought came to me: “I don’t think I can do this.”
Suddenly, my left shoulder felt numb and I began to lose the ability to grip my hand. I was led to read this in Miscellany: “Unity is spiritual cooperation, heart to heart, the bond of blessedness such as my beloved Christian Scientists all over the field, and the dear Sunday School children, have demonstrated in gifts to me of about eighty thousand dollars, to be applied to building, embellishing, and furnishing our church edifice in Concord, N. H.” (162).
I had the opportunity to share this idea with other Christian Science nurses and patients that day, and it brought us all comfort and a reassuring reliance on ongoing good. I was healed of the belief of losing control and gained dominion to overcome a sense of self with the prayerful support of a Christian Science practitioner.
We asked our students, “Why is Christian Science nursing education at Fern Lodge important to you?”
“It means growth in every aspect of my life.”
“Here, I experience daily the essence of Christian Science nursing—recognizing in patients, and in my fellow Christian Science nurses, ‘the real man, the fellow-saint of a holy household,’ that beloved child of God (Retrospection and Introspection 86).”
“I have been able to understand qualities of good ethics such as honesty, charity, compassion, love, humility, obeying the Ten Commandments, consistency, reliability, and trustworthiness. I have learned that if you show divine love to the patients, they feel the presence of God. The law of love is doing good to all.”