I can truly sing with the Psalmist (Ps. 40:1, 2): "I waited patiently for the Lord; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry. He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings." As far back as I can remember, my life was filled with frustration and fear, and God seemed far away. My early religious training was very strict, for my father was a minister. We were taught to pray, and the Bible was the most important book in our home. it wasn't until I laid aside all human desires and plans and asked God to take over that Christian Science was presented to me.
One of my family had a friend who was the daughter of a Christian Science practitioner. I was very much interested in what she had to say about her religion. Each time she came I had more questions. Finally I asked her mother to come and tell me more of this wonderful way of Life. I learned that God is Life—the "Life that maketh all things new" (Hymn No. 218, Christian Science Hymnal) here and now. The practitioner gave me Science and Health by Mrs. Eddy, which I read day and night.
At this time I was waiting for a room at the hospital for major surgery. The diagnosis by two medical specialists was an internal cyst. I became so absorbed in learning more of the great truths of God and man that I forgot all about my troubles. Two weeks later there was no need of surgery. I was healed. As I continued to study, many healings followed.
Within three months I was healed of insomnia, hemorrhoids, a sprained ankle, and indigestion, and I had gained complete freedom from motion nausea. Later on, with the help of a practitioner, I was healed of an internal infection. My son was healed of influenza in an hour by my explaining to him man's perfection—that it is always intact regardless of how the mask of mortal mind appears.
This same boy had a toe completely covered with warts which made walking difficult and painful for him. I refused to look at the toe. I knew that God made all that was made and that it is good and that nothing can be added to or taken from His creation. God's expression, man, is always perfect. A few days later he noticed that the warts had all disappeared and that the toe was normal.
I am so grateful for the healing of a slipped disk in my back. I had gone to many doctors for treatment, and they had told me that an operation was inevitable. About six months after I had been studying Science, I had a severe attack and couldn't get out of bed. I reached for the textbook and turned to these words (p. 470): "The children of God have but one Mind. How can good lapse into evil, when God, the Mind of man, never sins?" It became very clear that God, good, is the only presence, and I refused to believe in any other power or presence. I arose and prepared the evening meal and soon after was completely free.
I was also healed of grief when I gained a better understanding of God as infinite Life and of man as the expression of Life, when I understood that man has his being in Life and never can be separated from it.
Human relationships have become more pleasant and harmonious since I have been seeing more and more of man's true selfhood and his inseparable relationship with God. "Divine Love is infinite. Therefore all that really exists is in and of God, and manifests His love" (ibid., p. 340). As I hold to and ponder this statement, I can see that man, God's expression, is always loving, selfless, patient, and tender.
No words can express my gratitude for the peace, joy, comfort, and freedom from fear that Christian Science has given me, and for this wonderful way of Life, exemplified by our Way-shower, Christ Jesus, and revealed by our beloved Leader, who has so unselfishly shared it with all mankind.
I'm grateful for the blessed privilege of class instruction and for our association meetings, which bring great inspiration. The height of my ambition is to be so obedient to the teachings of Christ Jesus that I may be worthy of the name Christian Scientist.— Roanoke, Virginia.
