by Keith Wommack
They were hiding. I asked for a hint.
“10th deck!”
My wife Joanne, and I started running. With walkie-talkie in hand, I called for another hint. Through the crackle, I heard, “Elevator!”
We raced up the stairs to the top deck. Just as we reached it, huffing and puffing, the elevator was closing. However, I caught a glimpse of two pairs of tennis shoes.
Joanne stayed put to grab them if they came back. I raced down the stairs . . . 9th deck . . . 8th deck . . . 5th . . . 2nd . . . where the elevator stopped.
The door opened. I leaped in. I heard screams, and midair I hoped I was jumping on the right people.
Not to worry. When the dust settled, I saw I had captured the notorious Bucky and Lou, otherwise known as Jarrod (13) and Jordan (11), our two sons. Their capture finished off yet another round of our high-seas version of hide-and-seek.
That was seven years ago. We were on a cruise that we’d been saving up for and looking forward to for months. The ship had ten decks and three sets of elevators, and all that we had planned was fun. We made up games and explored all over the ship.
Then the waters got choppy. We heard that other passengers started to get seasick. When we broke off our game to have dinner, we were thrilled with what was on the menu—at first. Then all four of us began to feel queasy, too.
No way did we want to ruin our cruise with seasickness. The option of an over-the-counter remedy was there, but our first remedy for problems of any kind was to turn to God, Spirit, in prayer. And this always resulted in healing. In the past we often shared our spiritual inspirations with each other and this was no exception. It was natural for us to start with prayer.
Joanne was too uncomfortable to remain at the table, so she went up on deck to get some fresh air. The boys and I stayed behind to talk about spiritual ideas together.
We talked about being governed by a supreme and loving Spirit. Right where we were rocked by fear and illness—right there—was a steady power we could count on to calm and heal us. We weren’t trying to make matter comfortable. We were praying to see how God had already spiritually and comfortably made us.
Bucky said, “You know, we’re really safe in God’s pocket.” Then he left the table to go share that idea with his mom.
When he got back, he and Lou and I discussed how Spirit is closer to us than our own thoughts—right there where we are. Spirit peels back the fear that would make us sick and uncomfortable, and replaces it with joy.
The three of us were now feeling well enough to finish our (excellent!) dinner. And I think our prayers helped Joanne because she came back to join us for dessert.
Later, she told me that when Bucky had come up on deck, his first words to her were, “Mommy, your dress is flowing all around you in the wind, and you look so pretty!” She was touched that he wasn’t seeing her as someone green from nausea, but as peaceful and pretty. This helped her see herself that way, too.
The trouble ended as the whole family understood better that wherever God is, there is health and wellness. And that is always right where we are.
And after dinner, the games began again!
September 5th, 2007 at 1:02 am
Wow. I’ve been on boats where I got seasick and it was miserable. It’s great that your family had such quick healings. Did you ever find out how the other passengers made out?
September 5th, 2007 at 10:49 am
Keith,
Do you ever get discouraged if healings take a VERY long time or, if the healing doesn’t seem to come at all? Sometimes, no matter what I read or how I pray, even if it is on my knees, the healings just don’t come. So, how can one be healed if they seem to be praying wrong or just maybe don’t know how to pray at all?
Thanks.
September 5th, 2007 at 11:27 am
To Anony & Wondering,
As I think about it, seems to me that there was a lot less grumbling about feeling ill after our family had seen seasickness as just an imposition on thought that could be dismissed.
There are two things that come to me about healings that linger:
-Who is doing the work, so to speak?
Right where there seems to be a mortal praying his/her heart out, right there is divine Mind treating itself to a wonderful view of Mind. You are where and how Mind is treating itself ;where Mind is knowing its health and goodness. You are where the Word of God is finding expression. As we start with God, Mind, we experience more what God is and reveals through His idea, you.
-Sometimes the healing has already taken place — thought is where it
happens. We just are mesmerized by a new imposition that claims that the problem is still there. Instead of dismissing the new belief, we hammer away at the old one. Which is a waste of time. So, claim your healing.
I love what Mrs. Eddy says of prayer on page 1 in S&H. It is an “absolute faith that all things are possible to God,” “ a spiritual understanding of Him,” and “an unselfed love.” You can pray! God is animating and empowering you to do so!