A union of hearts

Mary Baker Eddy included a whole chapter on the subject of Marriage in her work Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures. Here's one idea from that chapter: "Marriage should signify a union of hearts." 

The other day I read the most beautiful account of how a husband prayed for his wife. The story is related by Fujiko Signs in her article God is our refuge (Christian Science Sentinel dated 25 October 2010). The article has the by-line: A Christian Science practitioner shares how her friend prayed when his wife was facing a serious operation.

Fujiko writes: At times, a medical diagnosis may seem to have more power than anything else. It can be overwhelming to the patient, family, friends, and perhaps even the extended community he or she belongs to. But what if we look to and trust the fact that we that we have a refuge that's reliable and safe, powerful and trustworthy? In fact, God, being unconditional Love, cannot approve, create, or support such labels as incurable disease.

The woman's husband wrote: ... The doctor explained to my wife, her sister, and me that the only treatment he could recommend was surgical removal. He said the operation itself was very dangerous and difficult, but my wife expressed her desire to go through with the operation at this early stage.

He continued: I was confident that she would be healed through prayer, but I kept thinking about how she might be risking her life by going through a very dangerous operation. At this point, I remembered the story of the disciples asking Jesus, "Who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind?" Jesus answered that none of them had sinned--it was for the works of God to be made manifest in the blind man (see John 9:1-3). This passage suggests that it was God's work that healed the blind man. As my spiritual reasoning deepened, I reached the understanding that God's presence and love would be shown to us. With that, I could respect and agree with my wife's courageous decision.

...I continued to pray to know with certainty that my wife was made in the image and likeness of God, and I knew that "man is incapable of sin, sickness, and death" (Science and Health, p. 475).

During the operation, this man read the chapters "Prayer" and "Footsteps of Truth" from Science and Health, and afterwards, while still at the hospital, the chapter "Science of Being".

The operation revealed no trace of disease.

Thinking about this lovely story this morning led me to open Song of Solomon, where I found chapter 6 verse 3: "I am my beloved's, and my beloved is mine".

We all belong to God.

Julie Swannell