How often have I longed to be able to put into words the depth of my gratitude for the help, the light, the rich blessings which the teachings of Christian Science have brought into my life, the experiences which have entered so deeply into my whole being.
I remember when a child I had a very deep and confident faith in God. I cured myself of childish fear of the dark by repeating the words of Scripture "The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion." Once when my sisters and I seemed lost in the woods and a great fear came upon us, I begged them to stop and let me ask God to show us the path, for I knew that He would. My request was complied with, and soon we were on the right way rejoicing.
As I grew older, however, I drifted away from this simple faith and trust, and then my childhood light became darkness. It was not the fashion of those about me to turn to God alone in time of need, and when at womanhood an accident brought me weakness, I sought, as did Asa, not unto God but unto the physicians. And how long and slow was health's coming! At this point the beacon light of Christian Science fell upon my path. At first I did not see the light, but when I heard the sweet words: "Why, in God you live and breathe and move and have your being, not in your mortal body," hope sprangup; for these words had a new and wonderful meaning. Could it be really true that my heavenly Father could and would heal me? How can I be grateful enough for that light of Truth which in my time of greatest need revealed and illumined the path which for so long had been lost to my bewildered sense? My experience was like that of a little frightened child, who on seeing what it deemed danger dropped the guiding hand, and fled in confusion into the very danger from which it would escape. And how great the joy with which it found the outstretched hand again.
