Yes, a Christian Scientist can see a doctor

My wife and I are like two birds zooming to and from our nest with bottle caps, lint, bugs, dirt, twigs, nuts, leaves, and discarded paper. We stomp, stomp, stomp them into our nest to make it all the more comfy and secure for our little one's arrival. You guessed it: we're expecting our first child.

Even though we're a bit ramped up right now, we're mindful of the fact that we will always have everything we need. This spiritual truth keeps our feet on the ground and our thoughts filled with gratitude for all the blessings we continually receive — by the grace of God.

Older friends and acquaintances I know, with children in high school and college, keep telling me in quiet confidential tones that now I will really learn what love is. I smile every time I hear that because understanding God, divine Love continues to be my greatest desire. Surely, getting married and having children is not a prerequisite to learning about one's spirituality and inseparable relationship to God. However, I'm awed by the realization that I am indeed married and soon will welcome a child into my life.

Walking hand in hand with Karama, supporting her choice of medical care, it seems as if I've been to the doctor's office more in the past seven or so months than I have in all my life as a Christian Scientist. This has inspired questions and comments from some of our friends and acquaintances whom we discovered knew very little about Christian Science.

Some of our friends had the mistaken belief that Christian Scientists hate doctors and shun medical treatment. That couldn't be further from the truth. I have a great respect for doctors and their desire to heal and am especially grateful for the loving care expressed by those doctors supporting my wife and soon to be child.

Even though Christian Scientists have been successfully practicing spiritual treatment through prayer in this country for over 130 years, I find they hold physicians and those individuals dedicated to caring and easing the suffering of mankind in high regard.

Christian Science is the understanding of God and his spiritual laws that govern man and the universe. There's nothing dogmatic about this practice. It is a growing understanding of this divine Science and the inseparable relationship between God and man that heals. And the consistent examples of healing in my life affirm my trust in God to meet my needs.

Since it has been my choice to rely on spiritual treatment through prayer for my health needs, my wife and I have had some wonderful discussions about prayer, healing, and Christian Science. I think of these discussions as sacred talks because they are always about God and his love and the science of healing demonstrated by Jesus in the Bible. Our sacred talks are uplifting and thought-provoking, filled with love and respect. Karama is not a Christian Scientist, but she's my partner on this spiritual journey.

I've said it before and I'll say it again, I know that my wife, our marriage, is a practical expression of God's love for me. And this practical expression of love just got a whole lot bigger with this sublime new idea — our child. I can't wait!

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Kwadjo Boaiteyis a lifelong Christian Scientist devoted to uplifting public thought and serves as the Christian Science Committee on Publication for Georgia. He lives in Stone Mountain Georgia with his wife, the lovely Karama. You can send him an email at {email kwadjosun@gmail.com}kwadjosun@gmail.com{/email}. © copyright 2006 by Kwadjo Boaitey

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