For many years I suffered ill health, loneliness, and utter misery, and feared becoming incapable of earning a living. A nervous breakdown made me pray desperately to God for help. Then a sense of peace came to me, and I began to read the Bible with a desire to understand it. This made me ready to listen to a friend who for a long time had tried to interest me in the teachings of Christian Science. He made an appointment for me with a Christian Science practitioner. Her loving compassion broke down the wall of resistance in my thought, and I eagerly listened as she explained the facts of man's true nature as the image of God.
I left her office inspired. The body which had seemed to be heavy and burdensome was forgotten. Two days later I returned to her office and joyfully reported that I had thrown out all medicines and knew that I would never again resort to smoking or drinking to give me confidence at social functions. I had found a reason and a purpose for living—to be the image of the God I now understood to be Life and Love, to bear witness to His perfection and goodness.
Following on this enlightenment, life became a joyous experience. In place of loneliness I found friends wherever I went. Further joys have been mine through the years, such as a better sense of home and completeness, good health, and an indescribable peace of mind.
