It has been such a blessing to me for so long a time to read the testimonies in the Christian Science periodicals that I must prove my gratitude for this channel of good by sharing one or two of my healings with others who are seeking inspiration as I have done for so many years. Christian Science has meant everything to me and mine. It was a constant guide in the raising of a family of two boys, who have now grown to manhood.
A healing which I should like to share and which I hope will be helpful is one that I had over thirty-five years ago. Until then, I had not been an earnest student of Christian Science and only read the Lesson-Sermon in the Christian Science Quarterly at intervals when there was a need. However, I did attend church regularly with my mother and later with my husband.
At a time of childbirth my condition was such that the doctor in attendance told my husband it was doubtful that I would live. A Christian Science practitioner, who had been called earlier, was working for me, and a devoted Christian Science nurse was in constant attendance. The following stanza from one of Mary Baker Eddy's hymns was a constant help and reassurance that all was well (Poems, p. 4):
"O make me glad for every scalding tear,
For hope deferred, ingratitude, disdain!
Wait, and love more for every hate, and fear
No ill,—since God is good, and loss is gain."
The healing was not a quick one, but I was fully restored to health. As a result of this wonderful healing, I became an earnest student of Christian Science, studied daily, joined a Church of Christ, Scientist, and became an active worker in it. I had been blessed and had proved that God is my Life; so I wanted to show my gratitude by serving God. The spiritual gain that I received was unbounded. Also I learned more about Love as a synonym for God. I had been believing that the care of a relative was a burden and as a result had admitted resentment into my thinking. The experience taught me that real love is spiritual. I had only to be obedient to the words in the hymn, "Wait, and love more for every hate."
Five years after this healing I had another child, although the doctor had told me previously that it would be impossible for me to do so. The birth of this child was painless. Mrs. Eddy tells us in Science and Health (p. 304), "This is the doctrine of Christian Science: that divine Love cannot be deprived of its manifestation, or object; that joy cannot be turned into sorrow, for sorrow is not the master of joy; that good can never produce evil; that matter can never produce mind nor life result in death."
I would also like to express my gratitude for a healing of asthma which occurred several years ago. This difficulty continued for several years, and for five months it was necessary for me to remain in bed nearly all of the time. A member of my family who had herself been healed through Christian Science of asthma stayed with me almost all the time. We spent many hours studying the lesson, and I was soon able to see a gleam of Truth.
Just before that time my husband and I had entered rather unwisely into a business deal and then discovered that there was a large sum of money owing that we had not been aware of. I worried much about this debt, because I knew that should we not be able to pay it, we should lose all that we had invested. During the period that I was in bed I learned that God gives man his supply and that I did not have to struggle for it, but only to trust. Soon after, I was free from the asthma, and also the necessary money to pay the debt was supplied.
However, my fear of the disease was so great that a few years later it again returned, and this time a Christian Science nurse was called. When she entered the room she made the statement, "You evidently still have some fear." This time I really awakened. Mrs. Eddy tells us in Science and Health (pp. 411,412), "If you succeed in wholly removing the fear, your patient is healed." This was proved true, for when I was healed of fear I was free. I shall never cease to be thankful for the practitioner who was so loving and patient and helped me to see the light more clearly.
This testimony would not be complete unless I expressed gratitude for the wonderful blessings that my entire family have had from the daily application of Christian Science and for the privilege of attending The Mother Church every year. To Christ Jesus, the Way-shower, and to our beloved Leader, Mrs. Eddy, my heart goes out in love and gratitude.— Grosse Pointe, Michigan.
