Christian Science Testimony of Healing by Kay: 8/6/1990
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A testimony in the Christian Science Sentinel.
1990-08-06: ~TOUR STOPS~---images---audio---transcript---notes---links---site navigation
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1990-08-06: tour stops---images---~AUDIO~---transcript---notes---links---site navigation
1990-08-06: tour stops---images---audio---~TRANSCRIPT~---notes---links---site navigation
Nearly one hundred years ago my grandfather was introduced to Christian Science. His letters to his family in London, England, saved by my mother, tell some of his early experiences of spiritual healing. More of the family healings are related in a testimony written by my aunt and published in The Christian Science Journal.
I attended a Christian Science Sunday School from the time I was a small child. While growing up, I saw my sister and two brothers quickly healed of various illnesses, including scarlet fever, and I, too, was healed many times through Christian Science.
One healing that continues to inspire me took place when I was a college student. One Christmas holiday I eagerly looked forward to being a bridesmaid in my best friend's formal wedding. The night before the wedding, I woke feeling very ill. In the morning, my mother telephoned for help from a Christian Science practitioner. As the day progressed it seemed unlikely that I would be well in time for the wedding. The practitioner said she would continue to pray and asked that I consider two verses from Isaiah: "Fear thou not; for I am with thee; be not dismayed; for I am thy God; I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness....For I the Lord thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee; Fear not; I will help thee."
This assurance of God's loving care seemed to awaken me to man's true identity as a spiritual idea of God. I was suddenly well. My coloring and strength returned to normal, and I was able to enjoy every moment of the wedding. Later, being a wedding attendant was no longer so important to me; but this has made the healing all the more precious. The healing Christ comes to us no matter what our human need or level of spiritual understanding.
My deepest gratitude remains for a healing of grief at the passing of my mother. When I received the news, I was plunged into despair. On the overnight train that took me home, I prayed, but not for release from grief, because I did not feel such a healing was possible in my case. I knew that others had been healed of grief, but I assumed that they were older, wiser, or less sensitive than I. My prayer was that I be able to endure the next two weeks at home with some degree of calm for the sake of my family. But when I arrived, I experienced a complete healing of this grief. The grace of God lifted me out of my despair, and I was so confident that all was well that I was able to comfort and help my father and other family members. I saw that we all dwell in infinite Love and can never truly be separated.
Five years ago, while attending a small luncheon, I became ill with acute internal pain. I turned to God for help as I had done effectively so often before. Later on, I telephoned one of my daughters in a nearby state and asked for her prayerful help. I also continued to pray and found great encouragement from a testimony that appeared in a current issue of The Christian Science Journal. The writer had been healed of a similar condition. He quoted Mrs. Eddy's words from The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Miscellany: "Unless you fully perceive that you are the child of God, hence perfect, you have no Principle to demonstrate and no rule for its demonstration." I pondered this statement, and within a short time I was well.
I am deeply grateful to God for His tender care. My gratitude also extends to all who have given me encouragement along the way through their writings in the Christian Science periodicals.
Kathleen Stokey Lundeen
Eugene, Oregon
I attended a Christian Science Sunday School from the time I was a small child. While growing up, I saw my sister and two brothers quickly healed of various illnesses, including scarlet fever, and I, too, was healed many times through Christian Science.
One healing that continues to inspire me took place when I was a college student. One Christmas holiday I eagerly looked forward to being a bridesmaid in my best friend's formal wedding. The night before the wedding, I woke feeling very ill. In the morning, my mother telephoned for help from a Christian Science practitioner. As the day progressed it seemed unlikely that I would be well in time for the wedding. The practitioner said she would continue to pray and asked that I consider two verses from Isaiah: "Fear thou not; for I am with thee; be not dismayed; for I am thy God; I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness....For I the Lord thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee; Fear not; I will help thee."
This assurance of God's loving care seemed to awaken me to man's true identity as a spiritual idea of God. I was suddenly well. My coloring and strength returned to normal, and I was able to enjoy every moment of the wedding. Later, being a wedding attendant was no longer so important to me; but this has made the healing all the more precious. The healing Christ comes to us no matter what our human need or level of spiritual understanding.
My deepest gratitude remains for a healing of grief at the passing of my mother. When I received the news, I was plunged into despair. On the overnight train that took me home, I prayed, but not for release from grief, because I did not feel such a healing was possible in my case. I knew that others had been healed of grief, but I assumed that they were older, wiser, or less sensitive than I. My prayer was that I be able to endure the next two weeks at home with some degree of calm for the sake of my family. But when I arrived, I experienced a complete healing of this grief. The grace of God lifted me out of my despair, and I was so confident that all was well that I was able to comfort and help my father and other family members. I saw that we all dwell in infinite Love and can never truly be separated.
Five years ago, while attending a small luncheon, I became ill with acute internal pain. I turned to God for help as I had done effectively so often before. Later on, I telephoned one of my daughters in a nearby state and asked for her prayerful help. I also continued to pray and found great encouragement from a testimony that appeared in a current issue of The Christian Science Journal. The writer had been healed of a similar condition. He quoted Mrs. Eddy's words from The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Miscellany: "Unless you fully perceive that you are the child of God, hence perfect, you have no Principle to demonstrate and no rule for its demonstration." I pondered this statement, and within a short time I was well.
I am deeply grateful to God for His tender care. My gratitude also extends to all who have given me encouragement along the way through their writings in the Christian Science periodicals.
Kathleen Stokey Lundeen
Eugene, Oregon
1990-08-06: tour stops---images---audio---transcript---~NOTES~---links---site navigation
1.
In July 1990, a Christian Science couple was convicted of involuntary manslaughter for forgoing conventional medical treatment for their 2-year-old son. This was in eastern Massachusetts, so I heard a lot about it. Aunt Kay was living and Oregon, and therefore less likely to hear about it - except that she would hear the news about a case involving Christian Science. I have to wonder if it was that case that prompted her to write this testimony. Note: The conviction was later overturned.
2.
Nearly one hundred years ago my grandfather was introduced to Christian Science. His letters to his family in London, England, saved by my mother, tell some of his early experiences of spiritual healing.
I haven't seen those letters, but I still have hope of doing so. In the meantime, it is good to know who in the Farmer family first became interested in Christian Science.
3.
More of the family healings are related in a testimony written by my aunt and published in The Christian Science Journal.
Here's that testimony:
4.
One healing that continues to inspire me took place when I was a college student. One Christmas holiday I eagerly looked forward to being a bridesmaid in my best friend's formal wedding. The night before the wedding, I woke feeling very ill.
This was the wedding of Nell Burks - see: It sounds to me as though Kay ate something that didn't agree with her at the wedding rehearsal dinner, and that sixteen hours later her digestive system had finally managed to deal with it, but I'm a skeptic.
5.
My deepest gratitude remains for a healing of grief at the passing of my mother. When I received the news, I was plunged into despair.
Kay's mother, Kathleen, died on December 14, 1940 - see: My understanding is that although Kathleen was ill for some time before her death, her children were not told of it. So the news, coming the day after Kay's 22nd birthday, was probably a completely surprise to Kay.
6.
My prayer was that I be able to endure the next two weeks at home with some degree of calm for the sake of my family.
Kay was studying at the Columbia School of Journalism. Therefore, on receiving the news of her mother's death, she would have left early for Christmas vacation.
7.
But when I arrived, I experienced a complete healing of this grief. The grace of God lifted me out of my despair, and I was so confident that all was well that I was able to comfort and help my father and other family members. I saw that we all dwell in infinite Love and can never truly be separated.
What does "a complete healing of this grief" mean? That her mother wasn't really gone? I don't know.
I don't think Kay ever understood what killed her mother. (I've a reason for that, but it's complicated and slightly unreliable, involving a couple of letters from Kathleen's school friend Margaret Jackson and also something my mother said about the cause of death.) Since Kay was a Christian Scientist, I guess the details wouldn't have mattered to her. But the understanding in my family is that Kathleen's death was preventable, because in 1940 antibiotics were available. Alma was quite angry about it, according to AG. I'm not 100% certain that Kathleen's death was preventable, because we don't have much information about it - of course. But apparently no physical effort was made to prevent it. And here is Kay, the good Christian Scientist, being reconciled to it. At the moment I haven't anything pithy to say on the subject.
8.
Later on, I telephoned one of my daughters in a nearby state and asked for her prayerful help.
My impression, from what I have read elsewhere, is that Mary Baker Eddy saw Christian Science as a definitely scientific thing. I think she said that even if there had never been a Jesus Christ, then Christian Science would still be true. But the practice of Christian Science seems to have developed as a very sociable thing, with people praying for each other. It reminds me of the concept Catholic saints. It's awfully hard for humans to create a religion that doesn't involve contacting other humans.
In July 1990, a Christian Science couple was convicted of involuntary manslaughter for forgoing conventional medical treatment for their 2-year-old son. This was in eastern Massachusetts, so I heard a lot about it. Aunt Kay was living and Oregon, and therefore less likely to hear about it - except that she would hear the news about a case involving Christian Science. I have to wonder if it was that case that prompted her to write this testimony. Note: The conviction was later overturned.
2.
Nearly one hundred years ago my grandfather was introduced to Christian Science. His letters to his family in London, England, saved by my mother, tell some of his early experiences of spiritual healing.
I haven't seen those letters, but I still have hope of doing so. In the meantime, it is good to know who in the Farmer family first became interested in Christian Science.
3.
More of the family healings are related in a testimony written by my aunt and published in The Christian Science Journal.
Here's that testimony:
4.
One healing that continues to inspire me took place when I was a college student. One Christmas holiday I eagerly looked forward to being a bridesmaid in my best friend's formal wedding. The night before the wedding, I woke feeling very ill.
This was the wedding of Nell Burks - see: It sounds to me as though Kay ate something that didn't agree with her at the wedding rehearsal dinner, and that sixteen hours later her digestive system had finally managed to deal with it, but I'm a skeptic.
5.
My deepest gratitude remains for a healing of grief at the passing of my mother. When I received the news, I was plunged into despair.
Kay's mother, Kathleen, died on December 14, 1940 - see: My understanding is that although Kathleen was ill for some time before her death, her children were not told of it. So the news, coming the day after Kay's 22nd birthday, was probably a completely surprise to Kay.
6.
My prayer was that I be able to endure the next two weeks at home with some degree of calm for the sake of my family.
Kay was studying at the Columbia School of Journalism. Therefore, on receiving the news of her mother's death, she would have left early for Christmas vacation.
7.
But when I arrived, I experienced a complete healing of this grief. The grace of God lifted me out of my despair, and I was so confident that all was well that I was able to comfort and help my father and other family members. I saw that we all dwell in infinite Love and can never truly be separated.
What does "a complete healing of this grief" mean? That her mother wasn't really gone? I don't know.
I don't think Kay ever understood what killed her mother. (I've a reason for that, but it's complicated and slightly unreliable, involving a couple of letters from Kathleen's school friend Margaret Jackson and also something my mother said about the cause of death.) Since Kay was a Christian Scientist, I guess the details wouldn't have mattered to her. But the understanding in my family is that Kathleen's death was preventable, because in 1940 antibiotics were available. Alma was quite angry about it, according to AG. I'm not 100% certain that Kathleen's death was preventable, because we don't have much information about it - of course. But apparently no physical effort was made to prevent it. And here is Kay, the good Christian Scientist, being reconciled to it. At the moment I haven't anything pithy to say on the subject.
8.
Later on, I telephoned one of my daughters in a nearby state and asked for her prayerful help.
My impression, from what I have read elsewhere, is that Mary Baker Eddy saw Christian Science as a definitely scientific thing. I think she said that even if there had never been a Jesus Christ, then Christian Science would still be true. But the practice of Christian Science seems to have developed as a very sociable thing, with people praying for each other. It reminds me of the concept Catholic saints. It's awfully hard for humans to create a religion that doesn't involve contacting other humans.
1990-08-06: tour stops---images---audio---transcript---notes---~LINKS~---site navigation
DOCUMENT LISTS FOR PEOPLE:
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