My dad had no use for what he supposed Christian Science to be, and he argued endlessly with my grandfather. This grandfather had found Christian Science some years before, at a time of extremity in his own life, when he had failed to recover from the effects of a severe physical beating. In great despair he picked up a Christian Science Sentinel from a literature distribution rack in a railroad station. What he read changed his whole life. His physical and emotional health was restored. It was this dear grandfather who later saw to it that I attended the Christian Science Sunday School regularly from the age of three.
When I was eight our family car was struck by another on an icy highway. During our third day in the hospital where we had been taken, the nurses brought my very active younger brother into the room my mother and I had been sharing. They kindly explained that they hoped he would serve as a healthy diversion to my mom. Because of a severe head injury, I had shown no sign of consciousness, and I was not expected to live. The medical opinion was that if by some chance I did live, I would be without any mental activity.
In these hopeless circumstances, when my patient grandfather asked, "Will you try Christian Science now?" my dad replied honestly, "Well, it certainly can't hurt anything!" A Christian Science practitioner in that city was contacted. She agreed to treat me through prayer and came to the hospital. Before she arrived her prayerful work was effective. I distinctly recall waking up and recognizing that we were in a strange place. We asked to be promptly released from the hospital, and in two weeks I was back in school. My parents, in gratitude for this healing, began the study of Christian Science. They wanted to understand the laws of God that had so completely reversed such dire predictions. They loved what they learned, became active church members, and had many healings through applying the teachings.
While grateful for these physical healings as tangible evidence of God's laws in operation, I am at this time most grateful for a life redeemed. In looking back, I recognize that from childhood right through college I was very self-centered. There were also many times when I didn't like myself at all and felt there wasn't much of me for God to love either. However, I did love Christian Science and knew that here was the one truth in all the world that could explain life. Through doubt, loneliness, and many dark moments of depression God sustained me. Active participation in a Christian Science college organization, branch church membership, inspired Sunday School teaching, and the Wednesday evening testimony meetings were oases of refreshment and encouragement, where I saw how others were solving daily problems on the basis of practical biblical truths. Class instruction at that time was a real beacon and an incentive to practice Christian Science.
Upon graduation from college, after much prayer, I entered a three-year training course for Christian Science nurses. There was no time to be self -centered! Men and women serving in various capacities set beautiful examples of dedication, compassion, and unselfishness. Student nurses and supervisors tenderly and selflessly administered to physical needs of others. In this atmosphere of deep study of the Bible and Mrs. Eddy's writings and good, hard, selfless work, I began to learn to give.
Marriage several years later to a fine man brought continued requirements for giving; and I am still learning! With the advantage of hindsight it is easy to see that it need not have taken all those years for me to learn to trust God enough to put human will aside and love unselfishly. I could have turned to Him wholeheartedly at any time. Yet during my long struggle with a false sense of self God never abandoned His child. It thrills me to think of it, because if He loves me that much, He loves all His children very much, and He expects me to love them, too. Daily it becomes easier, more natural, and increasingly beautiful.
My husband served nine years in the Air Force, which involved frequent moves and gave us the opportunity to work with earnest Christian Scientists in many parts of the country. We joined the nearest branch Church of Christ, Scientist, and served actively wherever we were. The resulting experiences and friendships have been most worthwhile.
Our sense of home became more firm when my husband pursued a new career that enabled him to live at home on a regular basis. When I learned to stop being critical of obvious flaws, and to be genuinely grateful for the good connected with our military experience, he was able to complete his college education and separate from the Air Force, going right into a civilian job that utilized many of his talents and developed many more.
Perhaps the happiest discovery of all has been that of learning that there is a Love-centered solution for every problem. Whatever the human dilemma seems to be, there is an intelligent, just, and merciful solution.
Joliet, Illinois
I am happy to verify my wife's testimony. Our home has been blessed by the total effectiveness of prayer as the foundation and stepping-stone to success both in problem-solving and in direction for our activities. I, too, have been grateful to serve branch churches wherever we have lived, and for the sound basis a study of Christian Science gives to a relationship.
