When Christian Science was introduced to me as a teen-ager, it was the answer to prayer, for I felt I needed something to stabilize my life. My father was an alcoholic. Perhaps because of conflicts in our daily living, I had become pessimistic and caustic—a combination of traits that didn't attract friends.
As Christian Science became part of my life, gradually I saw things differently. I began to acquire friends. One in particular was a Christian Scientist. She often shared with me her study of the Bible Lesson in the Christian Science Quarterly. Wartime came and my husband was sent overseas. It meant a great deal to me to have this friend who lived nearby.
My baby was expected about three months after my husband left. Daily I studied the Bible Lesson and prayed to know my perfection and that of the child. My husband, who was not a Christian Scientist, had asked me to have physical checkups. I agreed, but took no medicine. A month before the child's expected arrival, I was told by the doctor that a kidney infection threatened my life and that of the baby. An immediate cesarean section would be necessary, he said.
