I should like to express my gratitude to God for some understanding of the words of Christ Jesus when he said to Nicodemus (John 3:3), "Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." This process of regeneration has changed my life from one of sin, sickness, and despair, into one of purpose, health, and joy. The following words of our beloved Leader, Mary Baker Eddy, have meant much to me (Miscellaneous Writings, p. 15): "The new birth is not the work of a moment. It begins with moments, and goes on with years; moments of, surrender to God, of childlike trust and joyful adoption of good; moments of self-abnegation, self-consecration, heaven-born hope, and spiritual love."
I was raised in a Christian Science home, but during my college days I drifted away from its teachings, and in my search for material pleasures I began to smoke and drink. It was not until four years later, when I decided to join the Air Force, that this "new birth" first began to take the place of the degeneration I had been experiencing.
During the course of my pre-induction physical examination the doctors found that I had an internal disease, which they said would make me ineligible for any type of military service. It was at this time that I decided to turn wholeheartedly to Christian Science. Even before I arrived home from the examination, I realized that if I was going to expect to be healed in Christian Science, I would have to give up smoking and drinking, both of which had seemed to be a source of much pleasure. These two habits were given up without another thought. Not only was I looking for a physical healing, but I was also in search of mental peace, which I had not experienced for a number of years.
