Over twenty years ago when I was in the second grade, one might have described me as a rather shy and timid child, tending to cling to my mother as often as possible. I cried before being prodded to embark on the school bus each day. When the phone rang at our home, I was afraid to answer it. I was told at school that my reading skills were not progressing. Along with all this, I had recurring earaches and needed to be home from school occasionally, which added to my difficulties at school. Because of the continuing ear problem, my hearing was not as good as it should have been.
I attended the Christian Science Sunday School regularly and had many beautiful healings. Daily I studied the Lesson-Sermons in the Christian Science Quarterly with my mother, who has studied and practiced Christian Science all her life. But the ear problem persisted, and we called on a Christian Science practitioner for treatment. I stayed home studying and learning more about God and my relationship to Him as His perfect child.
During this time I loved doing jigsaw puzzles and spent quiet hours engaged in this activity. One afternoon I was thinking how my jigsaw puzzle was so much like me and I was like it. I realized that once the puzzle was completed, it was seen as a complete picture with no part missing. Similarly, I was a complete idea of God with nothing missing. I knew then that my whole being lacked nothing because God's perfect child is whole and upright. Within a few days the ear trouble eliminated itself through drainage, and I was in school within a week. Since that time I have had no recurrence of ear difficulty, and when I have been required to have my hearing tested, it has proved to be excellent.
I'm grateful not only for this wonderful healing but for the growth in spiritual understanding that was gained. I was no longer shy or afraid. I enjoyed school, and my teacher told the family that my reading was not worse but better after my long absence.
I would like to add that I am presently a second grade teacher and have enjoyed eight rewarding years teaching in various schools. During these years I have had many occasions to talk to groups of adults and to young people without any fear. Through the study of Christian Science, I have seen the truth of Mrs. Eddy's words (Science and Health, p. 519): "Thus the ideas of God in universal being are complete and forever expressed, for Science reveals infinity and the fatherhood and motherhood of Love."
Previous to this healing my father had seen many blessings through Christian Science, but he never felt compelled to take an active part in its study. After my healing he quit smoking, later joined a branch church, had class instruction, and served as a Reader in his branch church. I am most grateful for all the added blessings received through this healing.
In our family we have had many healings, such as severe facial burns, dislocated and broken ribs, and sprained ankles. I have also found proper employment when the circumstances indicated no position would be open for me.
I'd like to relate a more recent experience. A friend who is a Christian Scientist had a severe cold for a prolonged period. This friend's job entailed trips to various parts of the world for two-week periods. Apparently the extended travel and exposure were very tiring. He asked me to pray for him in Christian Science. We began by declaring that all power comes from one supreme, infinite God, our only lawgiver. God's ideas are not governed by material laws. There are no restrictions on the activity of God's ideas.
Within a short time the cold symptoms subsided, and the healing took place. This was inspiring because along with eliminating the belief in a restrictive false law pertaining to colds, my friend was freed from belief in other man-made laws. He had previously felt that marriage would be restrictive and prohibitive. He now understood that nothing could restrict God's idea. Both of us were truly blessed by this healing. This friend became my husband shortly after, and we are sharing innumerable blessings for which we are most grateful.
For the Lesson-Sermon, for the Manual of The Mother Church and all of Mrs. Eddy's other writings, I am most sincerely grateful. I have been grateful too for the Healing Goal Meetings, for the Regional Youth Meetings, and for the International Youth Meeting, provided by The Mother Church.
Manchester, Missouri
It is with gratitude for Christian Science and its healing efficacy that I verify my wife's testimony. With her help, the sense of fear of suppressed individuality within marriage was seen to be only a popular material suggestion with no basis in God's creation. Man, who expresses infinite Soul, could never be restricted in the realm of Love.
For this demonstrated freedom, and other manifestations of God's love, I am exceedingly grateful to be a student of Christian Science.
