In 1951, before I was living in the free world, I heard for the first time of Christian Science. I was led to a very kind Christian Scientist, who guided my first steps in the truth. She taught me how to read the Bible Lesson in the Christian Science Quarterly and provided me with Science and Health by Mrs. Eddy. She also gave me prayerful support during a physical problem, an abdominal ailment similar to that of the woman in the Bible (see Luke 8). Before that time I had consulted several doctors and gone through several operations, but nothing had helped, and I was growing worse. The complete healing didn't come all of a sudden, but extended over several years. However, my condition did improve immediately. I gained weight and did not miss any more days of work because of this complaint. In addition, I could perform all my domestic duties.
Much fear and error had to be overcome, but with a growing understanding of the truth, the physical symptoms gradually disappeared. Through this problem I was forced to concern myself more deeply with attaining an understanding of the truth of life in God, Spirit, which Christian Science teaches, and to turn repeatedly to divine Love. Today I cannot be grateful enough for this increased understanding of God.
At one point I was having considerable abdominal pain, and while doing my housework, I turned to God. Then I recalled the Bible passage (see Ex. 4) in which Moses was asked to put his hand in his bosom; when he took it out it was leprous and white as snow. He was asked once more to put his hand in his bosom; this time when he took it out, it was turned again as his other flesh. In Science and Health on page 321 Mrs. Eddy explains what had happened. I could see that this illustrated the effect of thought on the body. At the top of the next page she writes, "When understanding changes the standpoints of life and intelligence from a material to a spiritual basis, we shall gain the reality of Life, the control of Soul over sense, and we shall perceive Christianity, or Truth, in its divine Principle."
