Some time ago a very unpleasant-looking growth appeared under my eye. I declared the truth for myself, that I could as God's child reflect only perfection. I also worked for a better understanding of the truth as contained in "the scientific statement of being" on page 468 of Science and Health by Mrs. Eddy.
One day a relative who was not a Christian Scientist asked me why I did not have the growth burned off. The embarrassment which this caused awakened me to the realization that I had been working to be healed of a physical claim, instead of desiring to know more about God. I declared silently right then that the only growth there is, is spiritual growth.
When I returned to my home that evening, I earnestly turned to God and asked Him to guide me. The answer came, and each morning after that, when I awoke, I repeated the daily duties as given by Mrs. Eddy in the Manual of The Mother Church (Art. VIII, Sects. 1, 4, and 6). I also prayed to be shown how to put these into practice in my daily experience as a housewife. I prayed also to reflect more patience and love, especially toward the children, and I continued my earnest, study of the Lesson-Sermons in the Christian Science Quarterly. I can truly say that my only desire was to grow more spiritually.
