I have had many healings solely through the application of Christian Science, including those of a broken arm and a crippling condition when a small child. In later years I passed rigid physical examinations in qualifying for service in submarines during wartime.
After a while I drifted far from Christian Science and seemed headed toward certain destruction until a neighbor gave me a copy of Miscellaneous Writings by Mrs. Eddy. Grateful, I started reading and remembering. I was quickly healed of the tobacco habit and a serious alcohol problem. Through a more patient application of the teachings of Science, other ugly and unacceptable traits were eliminated and overcome completely. One thing I know, without Christian Science I would not be here.
Some years ago in the business where I had worked for nearly twenty years, a change in management was made. Conditions altered rapidly and I soon found myself confronted with bitter and angry attitudes. When asking questions I was often ignored, telephone messages were not relayed to me, incorrect and misleading information was given to me, and when an error was discovered in my work, it was photographed and filed pointedly with my knowledge. Often I found myself feeling depressed and resentful and almost unable to do my job. Frequently I had to call a Christian Science practitioner to help me through prayer. I had to take a radical stand for Principle and make a specific effort to maintain my joy and balance. Christian Science sustained me. For three years this condition continued with no apparent change. During this time I learned much patience, became less critical, gained in humility, and developed a much deeper love for Christ Jesus' example and for Mrs. Eddy for giving us this Science.
One of the Bible statements most helpful during this period was Christ Jesus' saying (John 14:30), "The prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me." A practitioner often reminded me of this statement, but it took me a long time to understand it. Eventually it enabled me to keep from reacting to the many outbursts of anger.
As a Christian Scientist I knew I could be joyous, regardless of the circumstances surrounding me. It was this joy that seemed to be under attack, and I often turned to Mrs. Eddy's words on page 201 of The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Miscellany, where she writes to a branch church: "So let us meekly meet, mercifully forgive, wisely ponder, and lovingly scan the convulsions of mortal mind, that its sudden sallies may help us, not to a start, but to a tenure of unprecarious joy."
One day I returned from lunch to find the atmosphere unusually hostile and bitter, so much so that within the span of a few minutes I found myself clearing out my desk and quietly leaving for the last time. I felt so completely free and entirely at ease that I could only sing and thank God for His goodness. Later I came to realize that this great feeling of freedom from fear and resentment was proof of the healing and regeneration in my own character I had demonstrated up to that time.
After taking care of some necessary family business, I was led to call at a firm someone had mentioned and submit a resume of my background. This resulted in employment at a salary nearly 30 percent above what I had been formerly getting, doing work that was more challenging and more fulfilling and which made good use of my former experience. The atmosphere was totally free of the distressing elements in my previous employment.
In addition to proving to me that God does indeed love His children and is capable of providing for all their needs, this employment proved powerless restrictions foisted upon us by the passing of years. For me these included lack of formal education as well as age. It has proved to me that we must never doubt God's love for us, nor should we entertain the slightest fear that chance can cause us to be left outside the realm of harmony, our unity with God.
I am grateful for membership in The Mother Church and in a branch church, where I share the joy of serving. Class instruction continues to give me joy and inspiration.
Oakland, California
