Friends introduced me to Christian Science when I was facing several difficulties: constant illness, lack, and unemployment. At my first visit to a Wednesday evening testimony meeting of a branch Church of Christ, Scientist, I was deeply impressed by the wonderful testimonies given.
From then on I eagerly began to study, together with the Bible, Science and Health by Mrs. Eddy, as well as other Christian Science literature. This study brought me deep, inner joy, and I felt that my life would now be directed into new channels. I resolved to rely only on Christian Science in all my problems. All the medication, which I was accustomed to through frequent illness, I discarded because I wanted to rely on God as my sole physician. The temporary unemployment was a blessing in disguise because I spent my days almost exclusively in study and in this way gradually gained a better understanding of God as Love and of man as God's expression. Very soon I was to prove that I was serious in relying on God as my sole physician.
When leaving the home of my friends one afternoon, I fell down a whole flight of stairs in the house. I could not get up, but despite intense pain immediately said aloud "the scientific statement of being" from Science and Health. The last two sentences are (p. 468): "Spirit is God, and man is His image and likeness. Therefore man is not material; he is spiritual." A neighbor who heard me fall came out and called my friends, who took me to their apartment. It was evident that the upper arm was broken, and one foot was injured so that I was unable to stand on it.
While one of the two friends went right away to ask a Christian Science practitioner for help, her sister read aloud from Science and Health, and I affirmed continuously, "God is present," without thinking of anything else. Suddenly the pain ceased. Overjoyed, I exclaimed, "I have no more pain."
Shortly thereafter my friend returned from the practitioner, whose message encouraged me to rise at once and claim my God-bestowed perfection and freedom of movement. In reality, nothing had happened to man, God's immortal, spiritual idea. I stood on my feet and had no more pain whatsoever. We were overjoyed to have experienced God's help in such a powerful way.
I had only one desire—to be alone with God and thank Him. I can never express in words how deeply this tangible proof of God's healing power has impressed me. When I got home, I thanked God for this wonderful demonstration of His all-power. After about two weeks I could use my arm as naturally as before. This proof of the efficacy of Christian Science has remained a tremendous encouragement to me.
Through God's provision and guidance I also obtained a job shortly thereafter, at a time when, according to human calculations, it seemed impossible to find steady work, and I have enjoyed God's blessing in it during more than twenty years. Mrs. Eddy tells us (ibid., p. 494), "Divine Love always has met and always will meet every human need." How often I have been privileged to demonstrate this!
During the years of my adherence to Christian Science I have had many healings: of circulatory disturbances, inflammation of the middle ear, broken ribs, and more.
Gradually I gained the understanding that Christian Science transforms our thinking, and that all healings of disease, character faults, and false material beliefs take place in consciousness.
I am thankful for the faithful practitioners who have helped me along the way. My gratitude for Mrs. Eddy is best expressed in my daily endeavor to practice Christian Science.
I greatly appreciate membership in The Mother Church and a branch church, and the privilege of class instruction. "Then they cried unto the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them out of their distresses. . . . Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men! And let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving, and declare his works with rejoicing" (Ps. 107:6,21,22).
West Berlin, Germany
