When I was a new student of Christian Science, I was eager "to see it work." What I was learning from reading the textbook, Science and Health by Mrs. Eddy, sounded terrific. But I was a little skeptical about whether I could experience a healing without using any material means.
At the time, having always suffered from hay fever allergies, I took prescription medicine to relieve the attacks of sneezing and nasal congestion. I had been attending a branch Church of Christ, Scientist, for a few months when I decided I would not renew the prescription or buy any over-the-counter remedies. During the next sneezing attack I called the friend who had introduced me to Science. She lovingly suggested I study Hymn No. 144 in the Christian Science Hymnal. The opening lines are: "In atmosphere of Love divine,/We live, and move, and breathe." I held to the fact that the true atmosphere surrounding me was filled with divine Love, and that in divine Love nothing could exist that would be capable of causing an attack of sneezing. Every time I started having such an attack, I would hold to this and other spiritual truths contained in that hymn.
Full freedom from hay fever came over a period of months. One day I realized it had been many weeks since I'd sneezed or had any of the symptoms of hay fever that had plagued me all my life. This healing was a beacon during my first years in Science because the demonstration was irrefutable. When I had moments of doubt or felt my understanding of Science was insufficient to heal, I could always look at my complete freedom from hay fever and know that Science does heal.
That the healing thought we need is always right at hand was proved to me when I went to the dentist's office one day to have my teeth cleaned. As I had never been to a dentist without him discovering a minimum of two cavities (one time I had eleven), I had come to assume that at every visit I would need to have a couple of teeth filled. During this visit, it seemed that it was taking much longer than usual to have my teeth cleaned and examined, and I began to dread the dentist's diagnosis. I berated myself for not having prayed before the dentist appointment, especially since I had been experiencing pain along my lower teeth whenever I drank cold liquid. Then I acknowledged that right at that moment the healing truth was present to comfort and protect me. Immediately this angel message came into my consciousness (Science and Health, p. 468): "Substance is that which is eternal and incapable of discord and decay." With the realization that man's true substance is incapable of decay, I became so overjoyed that I nearly jumped out of the chair. In that moment it was plain to me that there could not be any decay in Spirit, the only true substance. All of the fear and concern about my teeth vanished. And I was not surprised when the dentist told me I did not have any cavities. The pain in my teeth, which I had felt prior to this appointment, has not returned.
Over two years ago I became quite ill with a cold and sore throat. I tried praying for myself, but the symptoms seemed to get worse. I knew I needed help, so I called a Christian Science practitioner. I explained my problem, and she said she would be happy to pray for me. Then she recommended study of this statement in the textbook (p. 550): "God is the Life, or intelligence, which forms and preserves the individuality and identity of animals as well as of men."
When I first read the statement, I could not understand what relevance it had to all of the miseries of my cold. However, I knew that receptivity was a vital element, so I pondered the citation and tried to understand it. Slowly it dawned on me that if man's identity is preserved by God, then man remains perfect—always. Any suggestion that man could be made uncomfortable was a false belief and had no place in God's universe. I felt completely at peace and fell asleep. When I woke, the sore throat was gone and the other discomforts had lessened considerably. Within a short time I was completely free.
A sincere desire to share the enlightening truths of Christian Science always finds fulfillment—often in unexpected situations. I had been interested in Science for less than a year, when I attended a party where I was the only person present who did not drink alcoholic beverages or smoke marijuana. After dinner everyone was sitting in the living room talking in small groups. Above the noise of the conversations someone said, "Hey, Shane Ann, I heard you're interested in Christian Science." Everyone in the room stopped talking and turned to look at me. I felt extremely uncomfortable and wanted to change the subject as quickly as possible because I thought that those present would not be even remotely interested in any kind of religious discussion. I said that I was interested in Christian Science and assumed that that would be the end of the conversation. However, someone else asked me why I was drawn to this particular religion. I said that I had been reading Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, and that although I didn't understand everything in it, I felt Science was a practical, demonstrable religion. I added that in my many years of searching for a religion, Christian Science was the most sensible one I had found.
Again I thought that that would be the end of the discussion, but others continued asking me questions, and everyone kept staring at me and waiting for answers. I felt a moment of panic and was silently wishing that a more experienced Christian Scientist were there. However, right after this moment of panic, God's message to Moses, as recorded in Exodus, came to me as clearly as if it had been spoken aloud (4:12): "I will be with thy mouth, and teach thee what thou shalt say." I felt completely calm and proceeded to answer their questions for about an hour with an authority that was not my own. Everyone seemed genuinely interested, with the exception of one person who was very antagonistic. I never felt angry or frustrated by any of his questions but answered each one as clearly as I could. When the party was breaking up, many people expressed their appreciation for the discussion. The person who had been antagonistic came up to me and apologized for being rude and then thanked me for sharing my thoughts.
I have been so grateful for this experience because it taught me that I should never assume a person is not ready to hear about Christian Science. The Christ leads us to the receptive thought, and the Christ puts the right words in our mouths.
I am deeply grateful for the friend who introduced me to this teaching, and for her patient and loving answers to my endless questions. Also, I feel a special gratitude for membership in The Mother Church, for the healing work of our dedicated practitioners, and for our Christian Science periodicals. One of the most exciting blessings that the study of this Science has given to me has been the clarification and illumination of the Bible. I had always enjoyed reading this book, but now it has become a spiritual guide. Reading The Christian Science Monitor has further enriched my life. Because the Monitor seeks to report the news from an unbiased viewpoint through insightful articles and editorials, it aids each individual in doing healing work for the world.
It is a challenge and a joy to be a Christian Scientist!
New York, New York
