Healed after spider bite
My connection to The Leaves Christian Science nursing facility began in November of 1966. I was to join The Leaves staff on its opening day, but since I had a baby case in St. Louis I arrived a month late.
I was a recent graduate of The Christian Science Nursing School at the Benevolent Association, Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts. When I arrived in Richardson, The Leaves had already opened with three graduate nurses and young Christian Science nurse’s aide. We had a few patients needing various levels of Christian Science nursing care.
The first thing I recall being grateful for is how honored I was to serve Christian Science nursing and work at The Leaves in the early development of The Leaves as a Christian Science nursing facility. There was so much dedication and love for the establishment just of the idea of The Leaves, itself. Then, again, I was grateful as it grew into the actual manifestation of that vision, at 1230 W Spring Valley Rd. And then I was so grateful for those who came willing to support it in many ways!
Not only the nursing staff, but the Administrative Director, the Board of Trustees, the Kitchen crew, the Maintenance team, and the community of Christian Scientists willing to serve in many volunteer positions, were all there expressing a deep appreciation, interest, care, and love for what they were involved in.
It was not an “easy” time, but things were done “with ease”.
Through the years I served in many capacities there: Staff nurse; Charge nurse; Visiting nurse; Mother, Infant, & Child care nurse. All these opportunities led me to a position as a Christian Science nursing instructor at both Arden Wood in San Francisco, CA, and Tenacre in Princeton, NJ. What a vast exposure I had to Christ as the only healer as I developed my demonstrable knowledge of Christian Science practice; how thoroughly I was growing in my understanding of the practical wisdom necessary in a sick room; and how grateful I am to have been able to take proper care of the sick. (Man. 49: 7-13)
Having had the opportunity to teach so many others from my experiences learned at The Leaves in those years and having witnessed so many healings and proofs of God’s omnipotent care, daily, is incredibly humbling. I am forever grateful beyond words.
And then…
I appeared to suffer a poisonous spider bite. I, myself, became a patient at The Leaves. The Christian Science Practitioner and I were handling claims of pain, gangrene and blood poisoning along with fears for my quite young children, husband, and family.
I had the opportunity to see the effect of the quality, dedication, and love of The Leaves’ Christian Science nurses by being “cared for, watched over, beloved, and protected” (hymn 278) by them. They expressed the God-like qualities I needed throughout that experience. I was experiencing quite a deal of pain but always received comfort and support during their ministrations, and even by the hairdresser!
The pain vanished before the time I returned home. The dressings, being done by several Christian Science nurses, always had the same effect—a purifying, cleansing, calming, protective feeling would come to me as the dressing was done with “comfort’s art” and a “skillful” “Christlike touch” (Ret. 95: 4).
The Christian Science Practitioner who visited almost daily throughout the stay, and kept in contact by phone often, was always included in the many continuous blessings I received. The stay was not a long one, but much was accomplished giving me courage and determination to see the falsity of the claim and in turn see revealed, the pure expression that “…the leaves of the tree [were] for the healing of the nations.” (Rev. 22:2)
And now…
I had the privilege of staying at The Leaves in July, 2024, as a Rest and Study guest while attending Mary Ridgway’s Christian Science Student’s Association Meeting in Dallas and found those same qualities still being housed and used there daily, even without my need for Christian Science nursing care.
Joye Broughton
