My heart overflows with gratitude for the good that God is giving to individuals and the world through Christian Science. Even a small understanding of Christian Science is often adequate to meet a problem with swift and certain results if applied with earnestness, integrity, selflessness, and humility. My family and I have experienced proofs of this truth.
I am especially grateful for the beautiful way in which Christian Science class instruction unfolded for me. I made application for this in the same month I took a new position, and shortly I received notice of my acceptance for the class, which was to convene in three months. However, I would not be eligible for a vacation with pay by that time and could not afford the necessary time without salary, even had it been wise to ask.
This situation did not disturb me, for I knew that a right, progressive idea includes Rightness and harmony in every detail. I went ahead with my plans, certain that God would supply the answer to my need. About six weeks before the time set for the class to convene, the organization for which I worked announced a new vacation plan for its employees. The entire organization was to be closed down for a vacation period, and since the leave was an enforced one, my salary would continue. The period of the vacation corresponded exactly with the dates I planned to be gone and included adequate travel time. To the best of my knowledge, this was the only time the organization ever made such an arrangement.
Another experience which is special in my memory concerns a missing suit and camera. My husband had just graduated from college, and he and I and our infant daughter were en route to the place where he would have his first position. We stopped in a large city to visit relatives and parked our car on a busy downtown street. We locked the doors of the car and then went to our relatives' apartment.
In a few minutes my husband returned to the car to get something. He found that the front ventilator window had been smashed and that a suit and our new camera were missing. We were dismayed, because the camera had been our one luxury, and we were in no position to replace the needed suit, much less the camera.
After that first brief feeling of dejection, I quickly got hold of myself and walked just a little apart from the others. I was the only Christian Scientist present, and I realized I had to correct my own concept of this situation. I quickly denied that there could be a dishonest man, a man who could feel lack, or one who could bring unhappiness to others, and I tried to the best of my ability to replace such a false mental picture with the man that God made—the only man, honest, upright, having all that he needs. Also I realized that nothing real or good could be taken from us. And then I dismissed the incident.
We returned to the apartment, reported the incident to the police, and continued visiting. Less than an hour later my husband went to the car for our luggage, and he returned with a strange look on his face. He was holding the camera, which had been returned and was in plain view on the back seat of the car. An inspection revealed that the camera and its attachments were intact and in perfect order. The suit was not returned, but we were most gratified to receive from a totally unexpected source a check which was adequate for a new suit, and again the need was met.
Christian Science has been put to the test in our lives many times and has never been found wanting. Our marriage has been strengthened, and we were enabled to buy a lovely home in a most surprising manner. Business and supply problems have been solved harmoniously through Science, and we have proved its effectiveness in the healing of physical difficulties.
I am grateful for the practitioners, who are ever ready to help. One in particular proved to be a tower of strength to me at a time when I was wandering in a wilderness of despair. Throughout that period of loss and grief she helped me to turn thought away from self and up to God. Close to my heart at the moment is the Christian Science Sunday School, as we watch our children learning the confidence and assurance that come from an understanding of God. How much love and obedience we owe to Christ Jesus, our Exemplar, and to Mary Baker Eddy, who revealed the truth to us in such a practical way!— Wheaton, Illinois.
