This past fall, I wrenched my back. Soon every movement was painful. Standing up, sitting down, getting in and out of the car, carrying packages, walking, and going about my regular duties was extremely difficult. I prayed constantly to see through this experience, but had little relief.

One day, during my quiet time, I thought, “I’m like the Tin Man in the Wizard of Oz.” When Dorothy met him, he was unable to move. He needed oil to be put into all his joints and then he could move freely. From that time on, in some pictures, you see the Tin Man carrying his oil can.

I looked up oil in a Bible Concordance. In Bible times, oil was used for food, as a cosmetic, as a medicinal, for lighting, and in rituals and offerings. Then I looked up oil in the Glossary of Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, by Mary Baker Eddy. She defines oil on page 592 as, “Consecration; charity; gentleness; prayer; heavenly inspiration.” My dictionary defines these words in part as follows: Consecration is “to devote irrevocably to the worship of God.” Charity is “benevolent goodwill toward or love of humanity.” Gentleness includes the thought of ennobling or soothing. Prayer includes “an earnest request or wish” and heavenly inspiration includes “a divine influence or action.”

Clearly, there was lots to think about. From then on, every time I stood up or sat down or went to bed or did other physical work, I reminded myself that I was filled with consecration, charity, gentleness, prayer and heavenly inspiration. This was my lubrication. This was my oil can, if you will, and I could carry it with me wherever I went. Within a very short time, I was healed. I was completely free to go about my normal duties without any discomfort and the healing has been permanent.

I am so grateful for Christian Science and the practical insight that occurs whenever we truly listen. Thank you.