When I was a small girl, my family moved a lot, and I went to a different school every year. When I reached high school age, I became very timid and self-conscious about going to a new school and making new friends. Finally, in my senior year I had an experience that I felt made it impossible for me to stand and talk in front of a group from then on.
After I was married and had children, I tried to do my share of Parent-Teacher Association work. I was elected president one year. My doctor gave me tranquilizers that were guaranteed to keep me from being nervous. I was taking four at a time by the end of the year, and they weren't helping a bit. I finally gave up trying to do anything that required my being in front of an audience, until I came into Christian Science.
As a Scientist I wanted to share my experiences in church at the testimony meetings, as I had heard others do. I was able to say a few words occasionally, but I would shake for the rest of the service. Up to this time I had not prayed specifically in Science to heal stage fright, but had prayed with a desire to be relieved of all the fears that bound me. I was asked to fill in occasionally as Sunday School superintendent, and I found that I was able to do this. Then I was appointed superintendent. I was asked to read in committee meetings, and finally I was elected clerk of my branch church. There were times when the fear of carrying out my duties was so great I thought I had better resign, but I loved the work I was doing and didn't want to give it up. I had a Christian Science practitioner give me treatment, and I prayed, too, with the thought that "perfect love casteth out fear" (I John 4: 18).
