A-Always, G-growing, E-eternally

A couple of months ago, I was on a tour of the National Parks with 25 people, like myself--retired.  The motor coach ride between Parks and within the Parks was delightful.  When we arrived at our different destinations, we would walk paths to explore the beauty of the area or to reach an overlook for a grand view.

Only several days into a 2-week journey, my knee started to hurt and hinder my walking.  That night in the hotel room, I prayed for healing.  I had several spiritually uplifting thoughts, but the idea that finally brought healing came from an article in the Christian Science Sentinel that I had brought with me.  The article was by a Christian Science nurse, a person who offers practical help for patients without employing medicine.  She had hurt her back while lifting a patient, which was a great hindrance to her in her profession. She quoted a passage from Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy, which said, “Constant toil, deprivations, exposure, and all untoward conditions, if without sin, can be experienced without suffering. Whatever it is your duty to do, you can do without harm to yourself.”  The Christian Science nurse experienced immediate healing.

The words, “if without sin,” jumped off the page.  I remembered that many years ago, I learned that the word “sin” is a term in the sport of archery.  It means “to miss the mark.”  So I began to ask myself, “Where did I miss the mark?  What was in my thinking that was “missing” the idea that God is in complete control of my being.  What was in my thinking that was allowing a knee to have more power than the all-powerful God?”

The answer came immediately:  unconsciously I had accepted the idea of age because many of my fellow travelers had walking issues and had to load and unload walking aids from the bus at every stop.  So I prayed with the acronym for AGE that I know and love. 

                                                  A-always,   G-growing,   E-eternally. 

I refuted the idea that advanced years brought decline and confirmed the idea that growing “eternally” meant to progress forward “forever” with joy, health, holiness, ability, steadiness, balance, stamina, and without pain.

I knew to bring healing I had to see the above truth for everyone traveling with me.  At that moment I envisioned 25 people inside a motor coach, just growing and growing and growing—sort of inflating like balloons.  Then the motor coach inflates and finally bursts open with all that joy, health, etc. and no pain!  That wonderful crazy image made me laugh out loud, and I was healed.  I went on to thoroughly enjoy the rest of the trip without any limitations.

Cheryl Midyett

Knoxville