From childhood there has been an impulse in my consciousness urging me to gain a fuller understanding of God— a spiritual questing with expectancy of good. Our faithful Leader, Mrs. Eddy, tells us (Science and Health, p. 2): "Are we benefited by praying? Yes, the desire which goes forth hungering after righteousness is blessed of our Father, and it does not return unto us void."
When I found Christian Science some thirty years ago, my quest was a prayer of desire that took root and flourished as a way of life. I realized at once I had broken out into bright light. And I came to see this light as the healing Christ, ever within consciousness, revealed by Christianly scientific understanding. Best of all, for me this light is at its brightest when I see it expressed in others and express it in my dealings with them. Membership in The Mother Church and in a branch church, daily study of the Bible Lesson in the Christian Science Quarterly, and Christian Science class instruction have kept this light aglow.
Every area of my life has felt the regenerative, healing power of divine Truth. As I've realized God's care for His children—the one Mind guiding all—tangled relationships have been straightened out. When I felt "about my Father's business" (Luke 2:49), a totally new career opened up. As I've grown to love the idea of Church, as defined in Science and Health (see p. 583), there have been wonderful opportunities for service. An earnest desire for branch church membership was a big factor in my healing of smoking. The longstanding habit dropped away effortlessly, without my realizing just when.
