My first encounter with Christian Science is a memorable one, and it determined my desire to learn more about it. Some thirty years ago, upon the recommendation of a friend who was a Christian Scientist, I sought the help of a Christian Science practitioner concerning a difficult relationship. I was suffering from a very painful and ugly inflamed condition of the hands, which had been diagnosed as infectious rheumatism. Medical treatment had not succeeded in healing it.
When I entered the practitioner's office, I explained I could not shake hands because of this condition. I showed her the ugly condition. She made no comment but asked the reason for my visit. After I had explained, she inquired whether I believed in God. I replied I had been reared in an atheistic household and I did not know who or what God was. Whereupon she asked, "Do you believe in good?" "Oh yes, indeed!" I exclaimed. "Then you believe in God," she replied gently. After that she gave me some Christian Science literature to read while she sat in silent prayer.
Within a few minutes I felt a great peace and confidence invade me, a lightness and elation I will never forget. About one half hour later, when I arose to leave, I suddenly saw that my hands were completely healed; the skin was smooth and healthy, and my fingers had regained their normal size. "My hands are healed!" I cried out with joy. The practitioner just smiled and encouraged me to realize that my true spiritual being had never suffered discord. I was so overwhelmed by what seemed to me at that time to be a miracle that I decided then and there to learn what brought it about.
