Since early childhood I have been blessed with Christian Science as my religion, and through the years I have received innumerable proofs of the efficacy of its healing power.
During the Second World War, I was living on the outskirts of a large industrial city, and every night during the periods the city was being blitzed I experienced proofs of divine Love's protecting power.
The sustaining influence of our Father-Mother God was so strongly felt at the time my husband, who was serving with the Royal Air Force, passed on, that friends who came to comfort me were comforted themselves by God's all-embracing love.
Four months later, I painlessly gave birth to my second child, a daughter, without any material aid. I had at the time a fully qualified Christian Science nurse in attendance. The doctor who was engaged to attend the birth was delayed and came one hour late. As he left the house he said everything was in such perfect order he saw no reason to come again.
Through complete reliance on God, one of the children was healed of a skin rash, and both of them have had quick healings of so-called children's diseases. For the unselfish work of practitioners and the love expressed by them during these experiences, I am sincerely grateful.
When I was led to accept loving companionship once more in my life, it was interesting to see how Christian Science taught my husband and me to share each other's interests and to acknowledge God as the head of our household.
About fifteen years ago I was taken with a physical illness which caused me intense pain. I became physically weak, and the condition seemed unyielding. Suggestions tried to make me give in to error, but I knew that in Christian Science we do not demonstrate Truth for ease in matter but in order to glorify God and to prove the omnipotence of Truth in the physical realm, so called, as well as in the spiritual.
During this experience, I had the help of a practitioner, who one day told me she was going to leave the district. This was, I felt, a demand for me to help myself more; it became clear to me that I needed a greater sense of God's allness. I reasoned this way: If I really understood that God is my Life, the only thing I needed to give up was a material, false sense of life.
After studying along these lines for some time, I became conscious that nothing could possibly interrupt the true life of man, God's reflection. Also, by acknowledging God's presence every morning before letting in one human thought, I found the pain lessening, and after a short time I was free. I was completely healed.
During the period in which I had the privilege of serving as First Reader in a branch church, I broke or dislocated a bone in my foot. Immediately, I declared the truth and kept on affirming God's presence. After some time my snow boot was removed, and from a human standpoint the condition seemed serious. These words from Mrs. Eddy's definition of "Church" came to me: "The structure of Truth and Love; whatever rests upon and proceeds from divine Principle" (Science and Health, p. 583). This took the personal sense of Readership out of the picture.
I continued studying prayerfully until the following morning, when I felt it would be wise to telephone a practitioner. Her words strengthened me, and with her prayerful help I was able to stand the next day and walk without pain.
On Sunday, the day after, I was dressed ready for church when I realized there was not a trace of swelling or discomfort of any kind. The healing was perfect. A great sense of peace flooded my consciousness, and with my heart full of gratitude and joy to God I was able to be in my place for the service.
In the words of the Psalmist (119:97), "O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day." The daily study of the Lesson-Sermons, provided in the Quarterly, together with the study of the current literature, is the spiritual largess of Love's provision, strengthening, sustaining, and supplying all our human needs.
For membership in The Mother Church and in a Christian Science Society, for the opportunity of serving in the society, and for the great blessing of class instruction, I am truly grateful.— Baconsthorpe, Norfolk, England.
